Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Monday mornings with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  Working from home most of the time means that I’m constantly looking for ways to maximize my desk area.  I love the list of 30 Creative Home Office Ideas that the design website Freshome put together.  The ladder used for magazine storage is particularly brilliant - something that I plan to recreate in my kitchen to store old cooking glossies.

II.  With a jam-packed week ahead of me and cold whether looming, I’m making a big Sweet Italian Sausage Lasagna this evening.  The secret to this dish is the goat cheese in addition to the regular mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan.  The result is delicious and tastes just as good reheated for quick weeknight meals! 

III.  American Psycho is one of my favorite books, so you can imagine my excitement when San Francisco Magazine channeled Bret Easton Ellis in re-imagining Patrick Bateman as a techie last week.  Modernizing the book’s grand attack on yuppie culture, the piece is both genius and entertaining enough to provide a laugh whether you are a BEE fan, in the startup scene, or merely a resident of the Bay Area.

IV.  Confession: the difference between Merlot and Pinot Noir largely escapes me.  I know that’s terrible for a self-proclaimed foodie, but to feign otherwise would be purely pretentious.  What escapes me even more is wine and food pairings.  Luckily, I have no shortage of wine-connoisseur friends to assist me.  But just in case I find myself with a burning desire to know the exact light bodied red to serve with roasted vegetables, I’m ordering this clever chart for my kitchen.

V.  If you’ve always wanted to become more involved with the San Francisco Symphony, but the idea of going to a show alone sounds daunting, check out the new young professionals event called “Beyond the Score” on March 9th.  The day kicks off with a fun brunch at Chambers Eat + Drink, then the group heads over to Davies Hall for a performance with a champagne reception, and a Meet and Greet with the musicians after the concert.  I hope to see all of you there for a Sunday filled with culture and new friends.

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt