tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43198944798284935792024-03-13T12:36:13.029-07:00Jamilla Returns - A Lifestyle BlogJamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-28748402822940322352013-07-07T18:36:00.000-07:002013-07-07T18:36:08.313-07:00On the Road
I just got home after driving over 600 miles from Salem to San Jose - and I get to fly to Houston tomorrow, lucky me! I did have a very nice 4th of July weekend in Oregon, though. My brother and sis-in-law treated me to a tour of small Willamette Valley towns, like Dayton, above.
We had lunch in McMinnville, which is within striking distance of Portland.
Local Raspberries - Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com1Oregon, USA43.8041334 -120.5542011999999737.9706334 -130.88134969999996 49.6376334 -110.22705269999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-47952194157314343812013-07-05T15:45:00.000-07:002013-07-05T15:45:09.453-07:00A Day at the Beach in Lincoln City
My brother and I took a drive to Lincoln City, Oregon, which is a short drive from Salem. When we go there, it was overcast, foggy, and breezy - and I had to put on a sweater!
We stopped in for a latte at the local outlet mall to warm up.
Fortunately, the sun did come out later, and it was beautiful the rest of the day.
This is a view of Siletz Bay - a lovely estuary.
We Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com0Lincoln City, OR, USA44.958164400000008 -124.017891444.778417900000008 -124.34061489999999 45.137910900000008 -123.6951679tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-58930243263177880102013-07-04T17:49:00.000-07:002013-07-04T17:49:19.338-07:00Portland Japanese Garden and Hipster Tour
My brother, sis-in-law and I celebrated July 4 by taking in the Isamu Noguchi sculpture exhibit at the Portland Japanese Garden. The weather was perfect, and enhanced by the shady beauty of the garden.
The exhibit was housed in the Japanese Pavilion building, a traditionally-built Japanese building in the beautiful Japanese Garden grounds. Alas, no photography of the sculpture was allowedJamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com2Portland, OR, USA45.5234515 -122.676207145.1675815 -123.3216541 45.8793215 -122.0307601tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-15767306059520812862013-07-03T21:22:00.000-07:002013-07-03T21:22:12.788-07:00On the Road
Just a quick post to say I've been on the road all day, driving from the Bay Area to Oregon. I made some picturesque stops, like Williams, California, above ;-)
I always love driving past Shasta Lake - I saw a turn-off from I-5 and make a quick stop to take a few pics. You can see the freeway bridge in the distance.
The lake was pretty quiet today - just some locals and their boatJamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com0Salem, OR, USA44.9428975 -123.0350963000000244.763041 -123.35781980000002 45.122754 -122.71237280000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-45005925926720023592013-07-02T00:01:00.000-07:002013-07-02T00:01:00.246-07:00Heat Wave Sunday
The heat is on in the Santa Clara Valley - just look at the weather forecast for the first week of July!
For those of you who prefer Centigrade - the temperature is going to be in the mid 30's!
The San Jose Sharks Fitness Face-Off was on - and it was 80F by 9:30 in the morning (that's almost 27C) and it was heating up fast. I walked past the booths at Guadalupe River Park onJamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com2San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351767 -122.54040249999998 37.7435947 -121.24950849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-86067730331587803542013-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:002013-07-01T00:01:00.422-07:00A Stroll down the Alameda and around the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden
My little corner of San Jose is filled with interesting sights. Around the corner from my condo, on the Alameda, is a local landmark: Babe's Muffler. Babe has been there seemingly forever, across the street my the local espresso place, Hannah Coffee and Sweets.
Another local landmark is Schurra's Candy shop, which has been doing business for about 100 years.
The local used book Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com0Rose Garden, San Jose, CA, USA37.3335845 -121.9288225999999937.308334 -121.96916309999999 37.358835 -121.88848209999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-26075474475986190672013-06-30T00:01:00.001-07:002013-06-30T00:01:00.253-07:00My Mascara Wonderland
Mascara is definitely my desert island product. If I were to have only one cosmetic for the rest of my life, it would be mascara. Not only do I have sparse, droopy Asian lashes, they are very short too. I definitely got the worst eyelash genes, no doubt about it.
As a result, I am very fond of fiber and "volume" mascaras. Unfortunately, very wet or heavy formulations make my lashes droop, Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com7San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351767 -122.54040249999998 37.7435947 -121.24950849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-78942013481310878062013-06-29T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-29T00:01:00.584-07:00Intel Bay Area Girl Geek Dinner #42
I was one of the lucky lottery winners that got to attend the Intel-sponsored Girl Geek dinner at the Intel Museum in Santa Clara. It's an amazing place, and if you can't visit in person, there are on-line exhibits for you to enjoy.
Intel is a Valley legend and the entire history of the company (and tech!) is encapsulated in the museum exhibits.
No tech museum Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com2Intel Museum, Santa Clara, CA, USA37.3541079 -121.9552355999999837.253154900000006 -122.11659709999998 37.4550609 -121.79387409999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-52148947187562910982013-06-28T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-28T00:01:01.017-07:00My Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm Box and Recipes
Thanks to my blogger buddy (@Mona26 on Twitter) and a lady from the Shasta-Hanchett Neighborhood Yahoo Group, I signed up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm Box from High Ground Organics in Watsonville, California. The Farm delivers produce and flowers for 36 weeks—from mid March to mid November. The season is divided into four 9-week sessions, but you can sign up at any Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com8San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351767 -122.54040249999998 37.7435947 -121.24950849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-83221951705502468102013-06-27T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-27T00:01:01.193-07:00Two Evenings in Chicago
Last week, I took a business trip to Chicago. My client is situated right in the middle of downtown Chicago, in the old Sears Tower. It's a short hop on the "L" to the Magnificent Mile, otherwise know as Michigan Avenue, above.
On the way to Michigan Avenue from the "L" station, there's a rather large Nordstrom Rack.
Water Tower Place is a large and popular shopping Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com0Chicago, IL, USA41.8781136 -87.62979819999998241.4995241 -88.275245199999986 42.256703099999996 -86.984351199999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-46117868711214522722013-06-26T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-26T00:01:00.734-07:00Product Smack-down: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Polish Strips vs. Maybelline Limited Edition Color Show Fashion Prints Nail Stickers
Today's product smack-down is a contest between Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Polish Strips and Maybelline Color Show Fashion Prints Nail Stickers. Alas, the Maybelline Nail Stickers are limited edition, but still available on Amazon.com and eBay.
The Maybelline nail stickers come on a single sheet along with a plastic cuticle stick and nail file. You simply peel a sticker Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com5San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351767 -122.54040249999998 37.7435947 -121.24950849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-45639835533627474582013-06-25T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-25T07:43:11.549-07:00A Stroll Around Downtown San Jose
Downtown San Jose is actually very walkable. Within the downtown area, there is a trail system that runs along the Guadalupe River. The trail passes through several parks, and goes past the Children's Discovery Museum.
The San José Water Company building was constructed in 1934. The San José Water Works building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a City Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com2San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351767 -122.54040249999998 37.7435947 -121.24950849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-46640162157748697982013-06-24T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-24T00:01:01.039-07:00Mitsuwa Market Japanese Gourmet Fair and Nihonmachi - San Jose
Yesterday, I went with my friend Cat to the Mitsuwa Market Japanese Gourmet Fair in San Jose. I was lucky to learn about this from Shop n' Chomp, who lives in LA and went to the fair at her local Mitsuwa.
There were numerous food stands offering everything from Sushi to Matcha Waffles. The store was heaving with people.
One of the most popular offerings was the "Tako-Yaki" (Octopus) Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com4San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351767 -122.54040249999998 37.7435947 -121.24950849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-72384716166807287432013-06-23T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-23T00:01:00.416-07:00Maker Faire, San Mateo
In May, I went to the Maker Faire in San Mateo with Cat and some of her work colleagues. What exactly is a Maker Faire, you ask...
"Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors. Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com0San Mateo County Fairgrounds, Gate E, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA37.547555 -122.3010709999999812.025520500000002 -163.60966499999998 63.069589500000006 -80.99247699999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-11496918827143794952013-06-22T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-22T00:01:00.088-07:00Baking Artisan Breads at Sur La Table
I always felt that hand-made, artisan style breads were extremely time-consuming and difficult - especially Brioche. However, I love the taste of home made bread, so I had to give the class at Sur la Table in Palo Alto a try. Above, the ingredients for Whole Wheat Country Bread with Olives and Rosemary.
The key to making bread is patience, proper ingredient ratios, and a Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com2Palo Alto, CA, USA37.4418834 -122.1430194999999837.239989900000005 -122.46574299999997 37.6437769 -121.82029599999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-9182730445589810182013-06-21T06:27:00.000-07:002013-06-21T06:27:39.278-07:00My Adorable and Slightly Naughty Kittehs
Heidi and Meg, my two rescue kittehs, are my constant companions - Heidi even likes to supervise my work, above.
Meggie is a bit of an internet geek too.
Meggie is a dedicated sun-worshipper, but Heidi likes shade. I suspect that Heidi and Meggie have different fathers; Heidi has a normal, American Shorthair physique but Meggie definitely looks like an Oriental cat. Yet, they are Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com5Cahill Park, San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95126, USA37.329014 -121.9053737.3274355 -121.9078915 37.3305925 -121.9028485tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-79818138662070098102013-06-20T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-20T00:01:00.118-07:00Shabu Shabu in San Jose Japantown
One of my favorite Japanese restaurants in San Jose Japantown is Shaburi - for Shabu Shabu, of course. Each diner has their very own Shabu Shabu pot on a gas burner connected to it's own gas supply.
Shaburi is a small, local restaurant with a loyal local following. The food is no-frills but the quality of the meats and seafood is excellent.
The menu allows you to pick yourJamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com6Japantown, San Jose, CA, USA37.3494618 -121.8939705000000237.3368388 -121.91414050000002 37.3620848 -121.87380050000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-86577888893026134892013-06-19T12:01:00.000-07:002013-06-19T12:01:00.162-07:00Grand Century Shopping Mall - Little Saigon, San Jose
San Jose, California has the most Vietnamese Americans in the United States and outside of Vietnam - 10.6% of the population as of 2010! As a result, there are fabulous places to shop and eat, Vietnamese style. I visited the new Grand Century Mall in East San Jose one weekend, which is in the middle of an even larger shopping development that's still filling up with tenants.
AllJamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com4San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351767 -122.54040249999998 37.7435947 -121.24950849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-75536614509963553122013-06-18T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-18T00:01:00.653-07:00Baking Macarons at Sur la Table
I always wanted to learn how to make Macarons, so when I got the chance to attend a Macaron making workshop at Sur la Table in Palo Alto, I signed up! Above, Sur la Table's demo kitchen/classroom filled with trays of Macarons.
Making Macarons is not technically difficult - just a little fiddly. (Anything involving folding egg whites can be fiddly). You must have a KitchenAid mixer or Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com5Palo Alto, CA, USA37.4418834 -122.1430194999999837.239989900000005 -122.46574299999997 37.6437769 -121.82029599999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-2563258810445969682013-06-17T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-28T09:07:29.541-07:00Tea Time in San Francisco Japantown
Last month, Cat and I met Eva (@Miss_Eva) and her friend from Calgary, Alberta for a mini-tour of Union Square and Japantown. After a session at the Tom Ford counter at Neiman Marcus, we headed over to the Crown and Crumpet Tea Room in Japantown.
Crown and Crumpet has a delightful selection of teas, coffees, and an afternoon tea menu. It's a very delightful place, and the quality is Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com1Japantown, San Francisco, CA, USA37.7854135 -122.4293830000000337.782275999999996 -122.43442550000003 37.788551 -122.42434050000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-73839580594438392752013-06-16T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-16T00:01:01.107-07:00San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace
I love the San Francisco Ferry Building Market! The building opened in 1898 on the site of the wooden Ferry house, and has been a transportation hub ever since. You can catch the ferry to Sausalito from the Pier. Today, there is a thrice-weekly farmer's market as well as lots of dining and shopping spots.
Blue Bottle Coffee is extremely popular, and there are always long linesJamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com4S.F. Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA37.795922999999988 -122.3920520000000412.273888499999988 -163.70064600000003 63.317957499999991 -81.083458000000036tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-51240958178294027372013-06-15T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-15T00:01:00.915-07:00Heidi and Meg - Two Sisfurs
On October 21, 2012, I adopted two 4-1/2 month old kittens from my local Cat Rescue group, 13th Street Cats. Heidi and Meg were trapped together in the parking lot of a nearby High School by 13th Street Cat volunteers. They were probably feral kittens, but they were found in good health.
That's Meg (front) and Heidi (back) in their cat carrier, on their first day in the Forever Home. Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com5San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351767 -122.54040249999998 37.7435947 -121.24950849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-77627692936073295942013-06-14T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-14T00:01:00.043-07:00A Few of My Favorite Blushes
There's nothing like a little blush to give your whole face a lift. When I lived in London, it was a real life-saver for pallid, pasty skin. Here are a few of my favorites.
I went a bit wild at the Anna Sui counter in Tokyo, and picked up three Rose blushes, from left to right: 600 Sunny Rose, 500 Antique Rose and 100 Mystic Rose (which is more of a highlighter). All are from the Anna Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com12Silicon Valley, CA, USA37.362517 -122.0347635.736014 -124.61654700000001 38.98902 -119.452973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-59717156491852557792013-06-13T00:01:00.002-07:002013-06-13T00:01:00.779-07:00Jamilla's Sanctuary
I thought I'd do a post on my new home in Silicon Valley, which I share with my two kittehs, Heidi (left) and Meggie (right). I adopted them through my local cat rescue group and I promise to post a lot of cat pics :)
This is my custom home office from the Container Store - they were offering 25% off so I decided to go for a free-standing 6 foot wide configuration,Jamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com5Silicon Valley, CA, USA37.362517 -122.0347635.736014 -124.61654700000001 38.98902 -119.452973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319894479828493579.post-72592953586462846402013-06-12T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-12T00:01:00.075-07:00My Summer in Salem, Oregon
I returned to the U.S. on May 25, 2012. I stayed with my brother and his wife in Salem, Oregon until just before Labor Day weekend last year, during the prime summer months. It definitely was a big change from Greater London, but I think it was a perfect place to re-acclimate to the U.S. It's a small-ish town, within a 45 minute drive of Portland, Oregon and all it's Hipster offeringsJamilla Camelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631946088006140311noreply@blogger.com14Salem, OR, USA44.9428975 -123.0350963000000244.763041 -123.35781980000002 45.122754 -122.71237280000003