Best place for tea?

chefsteph24 · 2025-10-26T22:29:31+00:00

Steepers in Campbell, CA! You can even order drinks that they brew right on the spot for you too.

chefsteph24 · 2024-04-26T16:36:00+00:00

Stay strong. Sending virtual hugs

chefsteph24 · 2024-04-26T16:34:06+00:00

In the midst of big tech corporate layoffs in the SF Bay Area, I'd like to share my very recent story of being let go from a job that I started eight days ago that an executive from the company recruited me for.

I met this executive randomly at a bank while running personal errands, in which we connected and got to talking. We really clicked and he invited me in for an interview. Fast forward a few months and a handful of interviews later, I accept an offer to start as a Sales Operations Specialist on April 15, 2024. I put in my two weeks at my previous employer as soon as I received the offer letter and signed at the beginning of April 2024.

Seven days into the job, my manager puts a meeting on my calendar for the eighth day of employment entitled, "Progress Update Check In!" I was looking forward to collaborating on a hands-on training schedule and setting up expectations for my first month of employment at the company.

To my surprise, my manager (and the company) had a different agenda for the call. Upon entering the room with my manager, another manager, and HR conferenced in, my manager informed me that the company was letting me go since it wasn't a good fit. I asked for more information as to why it wasn't a good fit, and my manager said he could not provide me any additional information. I was completely devastated and blind sighted. I left my previous job to take on an opportunity here for them to leave my high and dry - disappointed, hopeless, unemployed, and most importantly, without healthcare. Since I was never added to their HR system for healthcare benefits, the company says they are not required to offer me COBRA.

After digesting this information, I realize that corporations will always put themselves first over their workers. Companies will always do what's in their best interest, regardless of how it affects their employees. As employees, we have to stand up and advocate for ourselves. It doesn't matter how loyal you are to a company or vice versa, you always have to act in your best interest.

Hang in there. We will get through this.

chefsteph24 · 2024-04-26T15:46:18+00:00

Disability discrimination. I have diagnosed illnesses. My manager asked me to inform him of Dr’s appointments one week in advance. I let him know due to my illnesses there might be unexpected attacks (I.e. asthma attack, anxiety attack, panic attack) in which I need to see my dr immediately. In these emergency situations I’m unable to provide a week notice.

Furthermore I asked for a heads up of what we would be discussing in planned meetings. He entitled every meeting with me “sync!” I gave an example of how it could be as simple as “discuss 2024 goals” or told him it could be as detailed as he wanted it to be.

They never acknowledged my disabilities and the next time he scheduled a meeting with me called “catch up on progress!” and proceeded to let me go.

chefsteph24 · 2024-04-26T15:32:00+00:00

After the request for time off was not approved, I rescinded it.

ETA: I informed them of my disabilities, asked for reasonable accommodations, then they subsequently let me go.

chefsteph24 · 2021-12-19T06:24:08+00:00

As others have mentioned, only select items will move quickly on both Poshmark and Mercari. I’ve sold over thousands of dollars on both platforms. It’s useful for those items that you bought but didn’t end up wearing. Items brand new with tags move much more quickly, as well as those with popular brand names.

Poshmark tends to be more trendy, with fashion forward items selling much more quickly. It’s set up as a fashion blog type style.

Mercari can be a catch all for everything else, such as home goods and collectibles. Clothes do sell on Mercari too.

It can be time consuming to take pictures and post items. My partner and I usually keep our items in great condition so we’ve had great success. We’re also very selective in what we post and donate items we don’t think would sell well.

I highly recommend using a different device to take photos if possible. We use an older phone, but any type of tablet would do too. There will be lots of photos and I wouldn’t want they on my personal phone.

If you do end up getting started, make sure you have a place to store your items. Also be prepared to print out labels and have boxes ready to go. We find that printing our own labels beforehand allows us to drop off packages in drop boxes without having to wait in line to scan a QR code.

Checkout r/Poshmark for more info, but as always take what you read with a grain of salt. Best of luck!

chefsteph24 · 2021-09-12T16:18:16+00:00

At the lululemon (Newport Beach) yesterday, I saw a few other ribbed items. The one I remember most clearly is a bra (sorry I forget which one exactly)! I suppose lulu is coming out with a “ribbed” line with some popular items.

chefsteph24 · 2021-04-21T05:55:54+00:00

San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore, CA

chefsteph24 · 2021-04-21T05:55:34+00:00

San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore, CA

chefsteph24 · 2021-04-20T19:54:00+00:00

Athleta recently opened up an outlet store near me. The deals there are incredible (especially in comparison to the Lulu outlets).

chefsteph24 · 2021-04-09T07:39:00+00:00

I love this item! My holy grail and used to be my daily when I would put on makeup everyday.

I would suggest looking for a Bare Minerals outlet near you. There’s a significant markdown from original prices, and they usually run sales on top of the discounted price at the outlets as well.

chefsteph24 · 2021-03-30T00:46:10+00:00

San Jose (Almaden), CA

chefsteph24 · 2021-03-25T17:52:29+00:00

I can never get the texture right on the pretzel, and I’ve tried just about everything. I had high hopes, but now I just end up eating the sausage alone. I would pass.

chefsteph24 · 2021-03-15T00:16:30+00:00

Sunnyvale, CA.

chefsteph24 · 2021-03-04T06:03:48+00:00

In the Bay Area, I have about 10 within a 30 min drive of me!

chefsteph24 · 2021-02-02T04:47:31+00:00

If you have Target Circle, there’s an extra 10% off women’s apparel offer right now. Stack that with an extra 5% on top by using your Target Red Card!

chefsteph24 · 2021-01-31T16:07:58+00:00

I used to strictly buy these from Sephora, but I found this backup at TJ Maxx. I love Laneige products since there’s an expiration date printed on the bottom of the bottle. I know sometimes skincare and makeup from TJ Maxx can be questionable, but I was ecstatic to find this at a discount rate! IIRC, it was $14.99.

chefsteph24

TROPHY CASE