Posts from the ‘Featured Item’ category

Banh Mi: Deconstructed with Bi Le

Bi introduces me to his favorite Banh Mi place in San Francisco, Saigon Sandwich.  I was super excited about his idea to deconstruct the Banh Mi because it’s an amazing sandwich which a lot of people don’t know about and I’ve been craving one for a really long time.  My friend, Liz, introduced me to Banh Mi when I moved to Brooklyn in 2010.  Since then, I’ve been hooked and eating four different sandwiches at one time was pretty stellar.

I’ve known of Bi for years but it wasn’t until after he met all of my other friends that we finally connected.  Here’s the timeline: Bi met Ashley and Tracy at Nicolle’s birthday party a while ago.  They all hit it off and when my friends from Canton came to visit the girls in SF, Bi met and became friends with them.  I heard a lot about this Bi but never got to meet him until I moved back to SF.  We’ve hung out a bunch since then and I now know why all my friends love him.  Bi is such a great person and I’m lucky to finally get to experience it for myself.  Thanks Bi for exposing me to SF’s best food and of course for being awesome.

And yes, I apologize for the poor angles.  It’s time to invest in tripod.  My lamp with tape tripod is failing me.

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Siren Impersonations with Ginger


When I moved back to San Francisco, I was lucky enough to move in with my friend, Sheila and her dog, Ginger.  Ginger is a rescue dog with the biggest heart.  She spends half her time on her hind legs and loves to love. She is definitely top ten cutest dogs in SF.   I knew I had to get Ginger on FWB and when I discovered her spot on impersonation of a siren, it was on.  Every time a fire truck went by, I would be scrambling to get my phone and praying that she was feeling it that day.  Thanks GG for showing me your skills and being a constant reminder to live in the moment and always have fun.

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Geometric Painting with Charlie Knuth

In this Friendships With Benefits, Charlie helps me spice up my apartment by teaching me an awesome way to make art.  We had a lot of fun and my painting is now hanging above my bed.  Friends like Charlie is one of the many reasons why I love SF.  I met Charlie through my friend, Tracy (who taught me how to make a mean margarita).  They went to college at UNH together.  In SF, it’s so easy to connect with friends of friends. He’s an awesome and hilarious guy and obviously, an amazing and resourceful artist.  Thanks Charlie for teaching me how to do a geometric painting and again, if you want to buy one of our pieces, just let us know!

(Cameo by the most famous dog on Dolores-Ginger!)

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Sign Language with Leigh Tanenberg

My friend, Leigh, taught me sign language this weekend while celebrating her birthday.  We were brainstorming a couple weeks back where she claimed she had nothing to teach me but that was far from the truth.  She grew up communicating with her voice but also her hands.  I remember signing a lot as a child thanks to Linda from Sesame Street and was reintroduced while working with toddlers with autism.  It’s an amazing skill that opens your world to so many more people and I would definitely like to become more fluent.  We had a great day celebrating as well as reflecting on how lucky we all are in our lives while appreciating and recognizing the challenges and strengths of other people, families and communities.  Thanks again, Leigh, for my ASL lesson and here’s to a great year ahead!!!

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Towel Folding with Ashley Connors

Ashley is one of my very good friends from high school who lives in San Francisco.  We went through many potential FWB lessons and finally after visiting her amazing and well decorated apartment, it was decided.  Ashley would teach me how to properly fold a towel.  She learned this folding technique from her friend, Jen, and now she passed on the goodness so we can all learn how to consistently fold a towel like Martha Stewart. Today, my roommate even made a comment about how well I folded my towels.  Benefits!  So, I suggest you all try to learn this simple folding technique.  Thanks, Ash for legit changing my future in towel folding.  Much love.

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Roundoff with Dagny

I learned how to do a roundoff from my friend, Dagny.  Dagny is an awesome gymnast as well as a very aware and fun nine year old. We spent a lot of time in Tahoe together and it’s always refreshing to gain the perspective of a nine year old including paying up for dropping “F” bombs (The price is $1) and watching Taylor Swift videos.  Thanks again, Dagny, for being a great friend, showing me how to do a roundoff and of course, convincing Yoni to have a dance contest with a ribbon.

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Prepping for a Surf Session with Ryan

Lo siento for the hiatus but FWB is back and better than ever.  I am now just getting settled in my new apartment in SF and able to convince my west coast friends that they have skills that I want to learn.  I’m hoping to take Friendships With Benefits to new heights with my move to SF and I think this FWB sets the standard.  We had amazing weather for President’s Day Weekend and I was lucky enough to have my friend, Ryan, teach me how to prep for an awesome surf session in Bolinas.  Ryan loves outdoor activities and is quite talented at documenting his experiences with his GoPro camera.  You can check out his amazing photography on  Instagram.  Become his follower to keep up with his epic adventures.  Ryan is also featured on GoPro’s Photo of the Day .  Congrats, R!!

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Underground Entertainment: NYC

This is not your typical FWB but I wanted to add this post because this project meant a lot to me.  Underground Entertainment: NYC began in October of 2011 when I was inspired to record a man singing in a wolf mask on Halloween.  From there, I decided to record all the entertainment I witnessed in the NYC subways for a year.  This project helped me appreciate the art and artists instead of becoming annoyed at the dancers blasting music after a really long day.  There are so many aspects to NYC and this is one that is easily ignored but so apparent if you travel by train.  Enjoy!

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Counting to 5 in 5 Different Languages with Currie

For my last FWB while on my #35dayadventure, I learned how to count to 5 in 5 different languages from my new friend, Currie.  I met Currie through Sofia when we all met up in Phuket towards the end of our trip.  I definitely continued practicing counting for the rest of my trip but can’t claim I know all the numbers.  Traveling made me realize how grateful I am to have English as my first language but really wanting to become more fluent in other languages.  I guess I just have to keep traveling and practicing to do that;)

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Riding a Motorbike with Sofia

After riding on the back of the motorbike for 4 weeks all over Southeast Asia, it was my turn to drive.  My good friend Sofia insisted that this be her lesson even though I was obviously hesitant.  She learned in Myanmar where she currently lives and works as a teacher.  Sof was confident that I could do it.

I’m happy to report that my skills improved immensely and the next day I drove for about 30 min on the roads of Phuket in the rain.

Thanks Sof for being an amazing teacher and encouraging me even when I was beyond nervous.  You are the best travel buddy a girl could ask for!!!  xo

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