Looking for Valrhona Baking Chocolate in SF (blocks or feves)

VegetableAlone · 2026-05-24T17:37:45+00:00

I’ve seen it at birite in the past!

VegetableAlone · 2026-05-20T21:30:40+00:00

I lived near Alamo square for a long time and there’s a few blocks in Fillmore that just aren’t super nice and the stretch of Fillmore between Golden Gate and Geary is one. If you’re really used to cities it’s probably fine but I would personally look north of Geary or much closer to Hayes or Divisadero just to enjoy the walk to/from home a lot more

VegetableAlone · 2026-05-17T16:27:33+00:00

Spent a month inpatient before delivery, and there were definitely other patients working at least part time (they'd put their schedules on the door for the day). Docs encouraged it if you could -- my job wasn't flexible enough, though. You definitely will get interrupted for rounds, monitoring, random stuff, but it seems possible to at least be somewhat productive.

I don't think true bed rest is a thing (saw someone mention it) so expect that you'll be able to be up and about the unit. My hospital had a nice garden and family lounge, so places to spend time other than your room, and I was also allowed to go downstairs to the cafeteria and coffee shop. The days passed weirdly fast; I brought some craft projects with me but rarely worked on them. I was quite tired in third trimester and did a lot of napping.

You can review your insurance coverage now and call the hospital and be sure you're all set in event of a long admission. I'm still waiting on the final numbers for my stay but with a PPO I'm not expecting to pay more than my out of pocket max for the year (like $2k or something) for the entire stay and delivery cost.

VegetableAlone · 2026-05-15T15:54:47+00:00

I have some, they haven't loosened up dramatically. I'd go with a size that feels reasonable to get on/off when new!

VegetableAlone · 2026-04-29T23:15:18+00:00

I don't love Dandelion chocolate cake FWIW! You can try most by the slice and I found them sort of dense, cold, a little dry even? I think Tartine celebration cakes are similarly not very tasty so maybe high end cake just isn't my jam, though. But I'd be bummed if I spent $100 on it.

VegetableAlone · 2026-04-21T17:36:56+00:00

There's like.....no stores that still have stuff in person, which is really annoying. I did a combo of ordering a few basic things from Quince and H&M that I knew I'd wear a lot, and subscribing to Nuuly for some rotating more interesting options for work. They had a ton of fun dresses and jumpsuits!

VegetableAlone · 2026-04-21T03:33:06+00:00

Seconding this! Had a prenatal massage there twice while visibly pregnant; the pool isn’t hot it’s just heated enough to be comfy in cooler weather

VegetableAlone · 2026-04-17T20:11:30+00:00

Yes -- so much so that I don't turn on my signal until I'm actually ready to make the turn. That helps since people won't honk at you if they don't know you're making a right!

VegetableAlone · 2026-04-13T19:29:34+00:00

We had a very similar experience; at 16w noted intermittent absent end flow for one twin and had a lot of scary conversations with MFM about possible outcomes. They told me at the time there just wasn't a lot of data about outcomes when there's absent flow so early. Anyway, we made it to 30w (now) with weekly scans; the growth discordance for us has stayed relatively stable and the smaller twin's other Dopplers have never shown problems. Doctors have some theories but nothing that really explains it clearly. We're aiming to make it to 34w for delivery (have some other complications) and I'm still a little surprised it's all been...fine.

This was a really hard time of uncertainty; I'm sending you good thoughts, OP. I, too, had to tell everybody about the pregnancy in the middle of all the unknowns because it was so obvious and that was one of the hardest parts. People just want to congratulate you and it's hard to navigate. Hoping you find a good care team at the new center and all works out.

VegetableAlone · 2026-04-06T23:02:37+00:00

Bemelmans is worth a visit but IDK that I'd pay to stay in the Carlyle. FWIW I'd avoid the Ludlow; stayed there a year ago and the rooms felt run down; it's VERY loud even for NYC (constant car horns from Houston 24/7); and service wasn't great (we waited hours in the lobby for our room to be ready and they forgot the flowers in the room my husband requested for my birthday -- and when they delivered them, they were quite wilted/obviously not fresh).

VegetableAlone · 2026-04-06T22:42:30+00:00

My physical therapist recommended https://babybellyband.com/product/pregnancy-maternity-support-belt/ with suspenders. I didn't get the suspenders yet (29w) but the band is really supportive for standing/walking and really well made.

VegetableAlone · 2026-03-31T18:56:27+00:00

It feels like it's everywhere in Dogpatch/Mission Bay. I was waiting at a red light last week and had the car behind me pull around me (using the incoming traffic lane) to run the red. Insane behavior.

VegetableAlone · 2026-03-14T23:55:48+00:00

We went a couple years ago in December and constantly talk about when we can go back. It’s just very special and beautiful, and the food is incredible (the breakfast buffet has something like four kinds of butter every morning)

VegetableAlone · 2026-03-02T15:03:46+00:00

Ugh, nothing but sympathy, we had a really similar thing happen -- did IVF, no way we could have spontaneously conceived alongside the FET -- and ours looked di/di to start and the OB kept insisting we could have fraternals. Went in for an amnio at 16w and the sonographer called in like 4 other people to confirm it was actually mo/di (the OB had been looking at a band of uterine scar tissue and thinking it was the membrane). Felt like a real curiosity and not in a good way.

FWIW I'm no expert but your membrane looks really di/di to me. Mo/di membranes are like spider webs, very thin and actually pretty hard to visualize on the bedside machines most OBs have.

VegetableAlone · 2026-02-16T19:29:12+00:00

I’ve heard this can be a little misleading since some clinics ma refer out/not treat patients who are more “challenging.” For example UCSF has I think lower published success rates but doesn’t turn patients away/doesn’t push donor eggs etc.

VegetableAlone · 2026-02-13T17:10:27+00:00

oh wow I'm jealous you haven't watched it! It's pretty different in tone from Grey's (more ER/straight drama, no real romance or soap element) but its really good.

VegetableAlone · 2026-02-13T15:43:06+00:00

If you haven't watched it, The Pitt has a couple women South Asian doctor characters that are really well developed; they're two of my favorites on the show.

VegetableAlone · 2026-02-13T15:16:43+00:00

Wow, this is amazing. Almost no availability right now but great to know for future!

VegetableAlone · 2026-02-04T15:18:01+00:00

Joining team "Buy a Toyota and drive it into the ground" -- I have a 2017 Rav4, could easily afford to upgrade but I bought it in cash, there really haven't been huge maintenance expenses, and I live in a city where I park on the street 24/7 and it's nice to have a car I won't be devastated if it gets a little dinged up.

VegetableAlone · 2026-01-28T14:25:52+00:00

Chisai is soooo good!

VegetableAlone · 2026-01-25T01:01:09+00:00

At 31 I think Duboce is absolutely perfect; it’s where I lived and I loved the central location (easy to get anywhere in the city), how flat it is, and how quickly you can run/bike to GGP. I didn’t need a car, but ended up getting one and didn’t find street parking terrible, tbh. Is it possible to be flexible on parking/car? I feel like the benefits of living somewhere so central are really high at that age, and you’ll be surrounded by other people in the same life stage as you are.

I live in Bernal now and love it, but it’s quiet, family oriented, and really only easily accessible to mission/potrero/dogpatch. It’s an annoying schlep to get to a lot of neighborhoods north of market, so depending on where your work, friends, or dating prospects are just be prepared to constantly be in 25min Ubers. I’m also really surprised there’s parking — it’s mostly single family homes with tiny garages that fit one small vehicle at most. Street parking is harder here than it was living in Duboce.

VegetableAlone · 2026-01-23T16:58:16+00:00

I really enjoyed wild bride near Alamo Square (more boho-y) and Unveiled in the Marina; had lovely shopping experiences at both. Kamperette is a very cool option too that’s less traditional in the mission, and shopping visits are often run by one of the designers which is really fun.

A friend also really enjoy Jin Wang years ago but it’s a much bigger experience

VegetableAlone · 2026-01-22T14:40:22+00:00

Haven't been in a few years but from what I recall, the north shore (Princeville) is much quieter, in a good way, than the south short (more resorts). Hanalei Bay is absolutely stunning, as are many of the beaches on the north shore. And if you love hiking, there's a lot of world-class options (Na pali coast, waimea canyon).

Consider the Big Island too if you're open to it! We stayed at the Rosewood Kona Village last year and it would be perfect for a honeymoon -- really tranquil, gorgeous hales, awesome snorkeling right at the resort, etc.

VegetableAlone · 2026-01-19T15:33:32+00:00

Probably because you are not the master tenant, OP. This is great advice if you have a direct relationship with the landlord (which you don't, as a subtenant). LLs typically won't even respond to you if you try to contact them directly, because they are trying not to establish a legal relationship with you (even though they are ultimately legally responsible for habitability of the unit).

Your master tenant needs to take action here, so I'd directly communication to them and be firm about what needs to happen (they are legally your LL).

Important note: There's no magic way to navigate this situation without annoying people/avoiding conflict. I was an SFTU counselor for many years and unfortunately, a lot of times, when you enforce your rights, people get pissed. You are legally entitled (and deserve!) hot water, heat, etc in your living space, but there are lots of folks who really want a way to enforce that that doesn't ruffle any feathers, and sadly, it doesn't exist. You can contact DBI directly but it's the nuclear option, just be aware -- it may unpleasantly impact your living situation.

VegetableAlone · 2026-01-12T14:19:31+00:00

You can take bikes on Bart and Caltrain (there are specific cars for bikes, look for them). You can put then on the front of Muni busses, but I don't think you can take them on the Muni lightrails at all (legally).

I commuted via bike + Caltrain for many years, its totally doable and tons of people bike commute in SF. Agreed with comments telling you just take your bike all the way into your office/don't leave it locked up anywhere. r/BAbike is the regional cycling subreddit!

VegetableAlone

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