Hello, NYC!

Well, I've done it.

I've graduated college, spent a summer in San Francisco, and moved across the country to NYC to start a new life and career.

There have certainly been a lot of changes lately, and I hope it explains my absence after my last post in July. Luckily, now that I'm getting used to the East Coast hustle and bustle (and I've accumulated some baking supplies in my tiny kitchen!) I can get back to one of my favorite hobbies when I get some free time.

I have a number of posts in the works, so stay tuned for updates!

In the meantime, I would love any suggestions in the comments for markets, restaurants, and other places where I can eat, explore, & enjoy in my new city! Do you have any favorite hot spots or must-sees?

XO, Lindsay

Miette {Ferry Building Marketplace}

We've had a string of sunny days here in San Francisco, so I took the opportunity to get outside and explore. I made my way down to the ferry building (they have a farmers' market Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays), and strolled around looking at all of the fresh goods and fun local stores.

I stopped by one of my favorites, Miette Patisserie.

The little french pastry shop is absolutely adorable with its pretty pastel colors and petit sweets.

Traditional macarons are always a crisp light treat.

I have yet to taste one, but I've been dying to try their cakes. Especially the Strawberry Tomboy, which is only available during strawberry season.

These chocolate wafers (known to be a favorite of Cupcakes and Cashmere) made their way home with me. Although simple, they have a deep chocolatey flavor that almost has a hint of caramel.

Miette also has a cookbook called Miette: Recipes from San Francisco's Most Charming Pastry Shop. Pretty appropriate, no? I think I might have to check this one out (hint hint to my friends my birthday is coming up :) )!

If you're in the area, I would definitely suggest stopping by this sweet shop!

Lindsay's Look of the Week {Chloe Rose}

For my final look of the week, I got to choose my current favorite pieces at Chloe Rose. I chose a glittery top by Velvet Heart, cropped skinny leg MiH jeans in the Paris style and Kara dark wash, a bright turquoise ring by Skinny Jewelry (I do love turquoise and gold!), and the lovely Rebecca Minkoff Vanity Crossbody we received in our latest shipment.

It has been so much fun to work at the boutique this summer. I had a great boss and learned so much about style, blogging and retail. I can't wait to visit this fall and see what exciting new developments Marissa has made with the store upon my return to SF!

Head over to the Style Files to see Kate's current favorites (hint: they involve leopard and more Rebecca Minkoff)!

XO, Linds

Pane E Vino

As I wrap up my time in San Francisco and pack up to return to college out East, I thought I would share one of my favorite restaurant discoveries from the summer. (Sorry for the poor quality of the photos, these were all taken on my blackberry!).

Pane e Vino (bread and wine in Italian) is a trattoria on Union St. in Cow Hollow that serves some of the best authentic Italian you can find in the city. The decor is misleadingly unassuming, for the food, although simple, is perfectly portioned and exquisitely balanced in flavor.

One thing I've learned from San Francisco dining is to sit at the bar - you will often get a chance to interact with the owner, chef, or other staff, and will have a more special dining experience. At Pane e Vino, the bar is located right next to the wood-burning oven and small prep station, where you can watch the chefs prepare the salads, desserts and mouth-watering pizzas. On this particular night, our spot at the bar meant that the executive chef, Bruno Quercini (below), gave us five-star treatment as he served us lightly fried white anchovies, house-cured coppa salami with fennel and pickled onions, extra fun appetizers and dessert (including a taste of a sweet dessert wine) - all  in addition to what we had ordered.

Lindsay's Look of the Week {Chloe Rose}

My look for Chloe Rose this week: Top by Greylin, Denim by MiH Jeans (Style is the Oslo in Kara), Necklace and Ring by Vanessa Mooney, Earrings by Skinny, Shoes are Tory Burch.

Visit Being Chloe Rose for the full post and two more fun looks this week!

XO, Linds

Fort Mason Farmers' Market {San Francisco}

One of the beautiful things about living in San Francisco is that there are a handful of Farmer's Markets within walking distance to my apartment. 

This Sunday, I went to the Fort Mason Farmer's Market.

With all of this fresh produce around, there is no excuse not to buy locally and eat healthfully.

Swensen's Ice Cream {Russian Hill}

I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite sweet spots on Russian Hill. It's called Swensen's, and is located on the corner of Hyde & Union.

It's modeled after an old school ice cream shop, and has dozens of the creamiest ice cream flavors I've ever tasted.

My favorite is the Mocha Fudge, but I've been dying to try the Bittersweet Chocolate and Swiss Orange Chip.

Fisherman's Wharf {San Francisco}

As I am still filling out paperwork for my second job, I've had a couple of days off a week to explore the city. We've had particularly beautiful weather recently, and I decided to take advantage of one of our warmer days to go visit Fisherman's Wharf along the shoreline. 

Living here, there are a lot of things I love (and a few things I don't) about Fisherman's Wharf. The eclectic collection of cute artisan shops neighboring tourist traps, Ghirardelli Square and fresh dungeness crab are just a few.

Some of my favorites from my "tourist for a day" excursion in Fisherman's Wharf:

Living right near the cable car line. Although noisy at night, they are a fun way to see the city. During the summer they are absolutely packed with tourists (and they cost $5 a pop, unless you have a monthly pass), so I'll be walking.

Flats for the San Francisco Savvy

As I was riding home from work on the Embarcadero F-Train the other day, the man next to me pointed at the heels I was wearing and said, "you must not be from here."

I gave him a knowing smile and flashed him the contents of my overflowing work tote, inside which (among many other things) was a pair of ballet flats. 

If you're from here, visited or seen pictures, then you know: San Francisco is known for its incredibly steep hills. Trying to get anywhere in heels is torture for your feet. So while my internship-mandated "business casual" trousers look best with a pair of 3-inch heels, it's also ideal to pack a pair of flats that are comfortable but still more appropriate for the office than flip flops.

Here are some of my favorite preppy, classic, colorful or fun styles:

{click for larger image}

1. Kate Spade New York, Noelle, $325
2. Steve Madden, Mockk White Patent, $69.95
3. Kensie girl, Kansas2, $45
4. MICHAEL Michael Kors, Gogo Ballet Tangerine, $98
5. Jil Sander, "Tessuto" Ballet Flats, $425
6. Tory Burch, "Reva" Ballet Flats, $325
7. Nine West, Jemmy Black Leather peep-toe, $79
8. Calvin Klein, "Pritah" Ballet Flats, $119
9. TOMS, University Black Rope Sole Classics, $54
10. Report, Grover, $69.95

Dining In

 Sometimes there's nothing better than staying in...

Eating simple, fresh food from the Farmer's Market...

And enjoying a beautiful view on a quiet weeknight.

Welcome...

...to my new blog! After blogging my study abroad adventures in Barcelona and across Europe at Sigame a España, I was inspired to keep a blog following my other experiences at home here in the U.S. Now that finals are over, I plan for this blog to help document the sweetness of summer before my senior year of college as I "Eat, Explore, and Enjoy" in Minneapolis and San Francisco over the next few months.

"The Sweet Talker" has been inspired by a number of blogs over the past couple of years, namely The Pioneer Woman, CakeSpy, Joy the Baker, My Baking Addiction, Oh Joy! and Cupcakes and Cashmere (do you notice a trend here?). I hope that I can follow their footsteps to provide entertaining blog posts that are both a visual treat and fun to read.

It might take me a couple of weeks to get this blog really swinging, but stay tuned to see where my culinary and everyday endeavors take me!