San Francisco Fixed

A couple weekends ago, I got to explore the City of San Francisco on my bike, through the eyes of a local. We went to all the non-touristy spots [[with the exception of the iconic Dolores Park]] We rode through the Mission, climbed to the top of Bernal Heights and got to have an amazing view of the city. As seen below. He took me through streets where alleys were painted with masterful street art pieces. I was in awe. 

I'm a sucker for street art and sun flare. 

After almost getting hit by a few cars, just for a picture.. 

yes, I had to. 

We grabbed delicious turkey sandwiches which tasted like pure Heaven. TBH-I could have eaten about four more. 

Rick, thank you for snapping shots and showing Maddie and I such an amazing time. We will be back for a visit and more photo excursions. 

Climbed up the tower

to get this shot 

BOMB.COM

Palace of Fine Arts

Lombard Street

stretches after cycling

As most of you know I am a huge advocate of incorporating stretching into your everyday routine. I am a avid yogi and truly believe that the practice helps center you psyche, calm your nerves, strengthen your body and rejuvenate your soul. Every morning when I get up, I have a little stretch routine I do before my feet hit the ground. It sets my pace for the day and wakes up my back. 

These are some great stretches for after cycling that will help soothe your muscles and prepare you for your next ride. The first three are also good for you runners. And as a side note: when posing in Pigeon- don't worry as much about getting your hip on the ground, make sure you keep your hips in a straight line and your back leg in a straight line. Gravity will help you with the rest of the stretch. 

Hip Flexors Stretch

The hip flexors pull the leg up and over the top of the pedal stroke; stretching prevents lower back pain when you amp up your intensity.

Kneel, as shown. Straighten your pelvis to align your pubic bone directly below your hip bones. Ease your hips down and forward, keeping your front knee directly over your ankle, and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Quadriceps Stretch

Your quads produce power, and a limited range of motion prevents some muscle fibers from firing.

Lie on your stomach with your knees hip-width apart. Reach one arm back and grasp the opposite ankle. Slowly pull the heel in toward your buttocks. Keep your pelvis flat on the floor. Hold for 20 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

Calves Stretch

Tight calves and Achilles tendons force cyclists into an exaggerated, toe-down pedal stroke that transfers less power than a flatter foot. More flexible calves allow for a more powerful and efficient stroke—and also leave you less prone to cramping.

Stand with the balls of your feet on a step. Lower one heel to stretch through the calf, ankle, and Achilles tendon. Hold for 10 seconds, then repeat a second time. Switch and stretch the other side.

Glutes Stretch (Pigeon pose)

Tight glutes prevent you from achieving an aerodynamic position in the drops.

To work your glutes, kneel on the floor with one leg extended behind and the other bent at a 45-degree angle in front of you, ankle and knee touching the floor. Keeping your hips square, ease your pelvis toward the floor. Next, tilt forward and lower your chest toward the floor. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

source

betty

This is my true love. forever and always. <3

keep up with MOAR bike shots through my instagram @devonfoster

(first two shots) Photo Credit- @alexbucur :: edits @knickjim

weekends

farmers market flowers

swimsuits signal the beginning of summer.

This was one of the first weekends that we didn't really have to do anything, well I didn't have to any way. My boyfriend had a day trip to Santa Barbara for business on Saturday and Father's Day was today. The weather was set to be warm and sunny. It was the perfect combination for a weekend filled with relaxation. I feel like the last few weekends have been a whirlwind and really the only thing I wanted to do this weekend was, be lazy. I missed my usual activities, and made a promise to myself that I would try to slow down. From the pictures you can see my enjoyment from previous weekends. PLUS the rejuvenation project of a ten dollar table we found from a moving sale. Quite the deal of the century.

cupcakes from Icing on the Cake bakery

loved the over grown yard

I was able to catch up on reading some of my favorite magazines while laying outside, Saturday after work. Then ran a few errands and picked up my hunny from the airport that evening. Sunday morning we enjoyed breakfast at home and then a trip tot he local farmers market. easy breakfast idea- an Ezekiel Brand english muffin with a TBSP of Almond and Flax Seed butter and smashed bananas on top. It weighed in at 210 calories and filled me up till 1. pretty easy meal, if you ask me...

organic vegetables from the Veggie Box



flowers from the farmers market



We rode our bikes to the farmers market in Japantown to pick up fruit for the week. We don't get our vegetables there that often. Ever since the Veggie Box opened in the San Pedro market we don't shop anywhere else, we cant find cheaper organic produce anywhere. Later in the day we headed to our bbq, which was delightful and very filling. My mom brought her famous blueberry salad

:: spinach, blueberries, cheese of your choice (Gorgonzola, feta, blue..) pecans, raspberry vinaigrette::

Sitting here on my couch reminisceing about my weekend, it was just what the doctor ordered. I got to relax and enjoy some of my old weekend activities... plus it was the perfect way to spend the last of my time with the boyfriend.. he leaves me for two weeks on a "boys excursion" what will I do for that long!??  ha ha ha ill tell you what.. eat Ben and Jerry's right from the carton, watch the Real Housewives marathon on Bravo and enjoy the fact that I could have breakfast for dinner each night if I really wanted. But really, Maddie and I will miss him like crazy. Before he leaves on a trip i always stuff his bags with little notes. I figure if I miss him this much and get to be at home, it must be harder missing us and being away. So when he sees my notes, I hope it makes him smile.

Also I got this pretty amazing cupcake cutter, that I really want to try. I'm thinking that a German chocolate cupcake with a coconut caramel center and chocolate ganache topping might be in order.. but who knows i might do half with the topping and the filling reversed, just to see which I like better. And below is the rehabilitation project of the table we found in Los Gatos. We needed a new end table in the living room and I had wanted room for a blanket basket- so this seemed like a good idea. Since then, Maddie has assumed that the blanket basket was set up for her and has taken it as a bed.

Before

After (sanded and re-finished)

weekend fun

Crepes, thrift shopping, bike rides, date night, snapping photographs... these are a few of my favorite things.

This past weekend was a whirlwind, but I can still remember all the fun things that I did. Some of the highlights include. Saturday after work I went and laid out with a big stack of magazines, ones that I have been neglecting and have been waiting to read. It was beautiful weather and Maddie and I enjoyed sun bathing on the grass. I got to visit with a friend from San Diego, who I haven't seen in seven years.. I have been wanting a silk Indian style top for some time now, but I haven't been able to bring myself to spend almost 200 dollars. While at the local Salvation Army I picked up a gorgeous one for only 4 dollars!! basically, a great steal! On Saturday night I attended the Strikeforce fight held at HP Pavilion. I felt so special sitting ringside and getting to rub elbows with all the famous fighters who I admire. I guess it was what celebrities experience on a regular basis.

Sunday we met friends at the dog Park and then went out to eat at Saras Kitchen. One of my favorite breakfast spots in Santa Clara. If you go, you just have to try the pineapple chicken sausage! We live about 3 miles from the restaurant, so we decided to ride our bikes and take Maddie in the basket- she loved it. After lunch we rode around the Rose Garden area and admired all the beautiful residences. The neighborhood is older and most of the homes have been remodeled and upgraded to original designs- they are remarkable. After our long bike ride we came home and watched the Ides of March- which I thought was very good. We finished up the evening with a shopping trip to Whole Foods, dinner at TGISushi and swung by to see our friends' new house, which they just bought! All in all a fabulous weekend!

Enjoy the photos... ciao xx



Smores dessert before dinner, at CreParis



vintage shopping, sadly no boots came home with me

top-thrifted, jeans-True Religion, shoes- Converse, belt-stolen from mom,
bracelets- Chan Lau, glasses- Electric, bag- Marc Jacobs

I am IN LOVE with the back detailing

my bf, @lenscaption, doing his favorite thing- shooting

top- dress worn as a top (seen here), shorts- Sevens, shoes- Club Nico, glasses- Dior, bike- Electra

someones beautiful garden with famous Banksy art