Mrs. Fields Cookie Cups

Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Mrs. Fields is famous for cookies but the menu offers a lot more than the standard chocolate chip, sugar and peanut-butter cookie.I love a good, warm cookie and I love cupcakes, so a cupcake in cookie form really takes the cake!  Mrs.Fields' Cookie Cups are thick chocolate chip cookies (think of stuffing classic chocolate chip cookie dough into a cupcake tin ) and topped with decorative frosting. They look just like Cupcakes!

Mrs. Fields can be found in pretty much any mall and that's where I  picked up some of Santa's favorite (upgraded) Christmas Eve treats while I shopped for Christmas gifts.  There's a"regular size", which is close to a standard a cupcake and there's also Mini Cookie Cups. 

 The mall only had Mini Cookie Cups available that day and when you buy three, you get one for free but prices aren't listed (four Mini Cup Cakes will cost ya $3.95). 

Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Since the young girl behind the counter asked which ones I wanted I thought there would be different cookie flavors to choose from but she let me know that there's only chocolate chip Cookie Cups. I didn't really care which color frosting I got on my Mini Cookie Cups but I was happy I got one purple one! 

If it wasn't for the frosting fit for a (mini) Cupcake, I could have easily finished each bite size

chocolate chip cookie in a single bite. The cookies were pretty fresh, not warm and fresh out of the oven but not hard, crunchy and crumbly either. At least one of my Mini Cookie Cups had frosting which was hardened more than the others but it was still eatable. It's a good thing I still had some shopping to do because these little guys pack a serious sugar rush! Two out of  four Mrs. Fields Mini Cookie Cups was more than enough to send me on my merry way and with copious amounts of sugar pumping through my blood I got all of my shopping done!

Secure your spot on the Nice List and leave Santa a Cookie Cup to help him power through Christmas Eve night! 

Happy Holidays! May all of your cookie dreams come true!

Cold Specks @ Brick & Mortar 11/21/2014

Cold Specks, the Rock/R&B group  from Canada lead by the head strong artist Al Spx, played at Brick and Mortar in San Francisco's Mission District on November 21st. Currently on tour in support of her sophomore album, Neuroplasticity, the self described "Doom Soul" singer/song-writer sauntered on to the stage close to 11:00. 

Cold Specks at Brick & Mortar 11/21/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Accompanied only by a saxophonist, her guitar and a docile face strewn with a fierce seriousness, she eased the room into the power ambient set. Compelled to observe the show in silence, the respectful audience welcomed the rest of the band to the stage with a quick and quite flurry of wholehearted applause before the start of the next song. 

Cold Specks at Brick & Mortar 11/21/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Most of the set consisted of songs off of 2014's Neuroplasicity. Heavy hitting songs embellished with steady guitar chords, pounding percussion, deep baritone sax and her impressive range of intense, velvety vocals, the 26 year old Canadian artist and her tight-knit band effortlessly evoke a "Deep South" sound, the kind that sticks to your bones. Spx lightened the mood with occasional  dry, monotone exchanges which were met with some light laughter before the room fell silent again. Playing well beyond midnight, Cold Specks delivered a spellbinding show and fans in San Francisco where more than happy to stay until the end to see it all. 

Now that the North American leg of the tour is over, Cold Specks will be bringing the show over seas in 2015! 

First Aid Kit @ The Fox Theater 11/13/2014

First Aid Kit at The Fox Theater 11/13/2014
Photo by Marc Fong 

Swedish sisters, Johanna and Klara Soderberg of First Aid Kit filled the beautiful Fox Theater in Oakland with their charming country- inspired folk songs on November 13th.










Mimicking the  sisters' fashion sense a good number girls sporting over-sized wide brimmed hats, flowing maxi dresses and rustic boots  gathered inside  to see whimsical sounds from Stay Gold, the band's debut full length LP performed live.

First Aid Kit at The Fox Theater 11/13/2014
Photo by Marc Fong 

First Aid Kit at The Fox Theater 11/13/2014
Photo by Marc Fong 

Tangibly blue stories of a broken heart on the mend,  lifted by warm melodies and the sisters' breezy harmonies were abruptly interrupted early on in the set when all sound on the stage was lost for a few, very long seconds.







Fans reassured the fresh faced, trend setting country duo on with respectful cries of "we love you" and First Aid Kit was back  in the swing of things in no time, picking up right were they were cut-off in the middle of "Ghost Town".

First Aid Kit at The Fox Theater 11/13/2014
Photo by Marc Fong 

(my guess is fuses at The Fox finally blew after two sold-out Slayer shows the previous nights).

First Aid Kit at The Fox Theater 11/13/2014
Photo by Marc Fong 

The eager crowd grew anxious with anticipation but the modest sister act remained patient. They coolly announced how excited and truly surprised they were to be back at The Fox Theater playing a sold-out, headlining show. This exchange only riled fans more, of course but it was a delightfully and very genuine way to engage and connect with their Bay Area fan base.

First Aid Kit at The Fox Theater 11/13/2014
Photo by Marc Fong 

Cheery banter continued as mellow country-twang induced hymns and the classic combo of simple bass and drums swirled amidst sparkly synths, of which give tracks from Stay Gold their poppy edge.

First Aid Kit at The Fox Theater 11/13/2014
Photo by Marc Fong 

The duo pleasantly captivated their audience a midst the sheer size of The Fox Theater in Oakland. Although their sound calls for somewhat of a more intimate setting , like that of The Chapel here in San Francisco, the talents of First Aid Kit still shined at the grandiose venue.

First Aid Kit at The Fox Theater 11/13/2014
Photo by Marc Fong 

Norton Boldly Go Concert Series with G. Love & Special Sauce presented by Pandora @ The Chapel 11/11/2014

G. Love and Special Sauce @ The Chapel 11/11/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

 

After nearly a decade since their last performance together, the original line-up of the blusey alt. hip-hop group, G. Love and Special Sauce celebrated the 20th anniversary of their self-titled first album and the recent release of their new album, Sugar with a free show at The Chapel in San Francisco.

 

 

G. Love and Special Sauce @ The Chapel 11/11/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The show, which was part of the  Norton Boldly Go Concert Series presented by Pandora, was free if you RSVP-ed so it was no surprise that the line to get inside stretched down Mission Street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chapel was packed soon after doors opened with attendees swarming the live screen printing to get their customizable G. Love posters and the bars were bombarded as fans took advantage of the full, open bar.

 

 

 

 

 

 At 8:00, Garret Dunton a.k.a G. Love, up-right bassist Jim Prescott and drummer Jeffery Clemens humbly hit the stage  under a rotating disco ball spitting reflections on the full house and the night gave way to their R&B beats with a country twang. G. Love and Special Sauce don't  conform to one genre of music or another, rather they create a jamboree with a refined sound and the acoustics at The Chapel suited the band without a hitch. This mix of their "raw funk",   vivacious vibe and graciousness effortlessly invites show-goers to let loose and just enjoy the music.

 

G. Love and Special Sauce @ The Chapel 11/11/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong

G. Love and Special Sauce @ The Chapel 11/11/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

Their energy charged, hour long set, loosely followed their set-list and Dunton's banter included thanking Pandora, Norton, SF fans for being there and he also welcomed standup bassist, Jim Prescott back to the band.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G. Love and Special Sauce @ The Chapel 11/11/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

 

The reunited G. Love and Special Sauce put on a heartfelt, wholesome fun show and they'll be back in town early next year to play at The Fillmore!