It's not often that you find a china pattern that hits just the right note. Simply Anna is pretty darn close. It's ornate enough (imprinted porcelain, gold detail, scalloped rim) to be special. And simple enough to work for all sorts of occasions and still be dishwasher safe.
This has been a really busy, fun week. Work has been nuts and San Francisco has finally hit summer. The city is in full bloom! Here's what I learned:
My hair stylist, Nikki, has changed locations again. This time to a beautiful loft salon called Dekko. They say they're in Portrero Hill, but it's really Dog Patch.I have a wedding to attend in September and would like to create an outfit around a 1960s dress I purchased recently. I am at a loss for hair, jewelery and shoes.I love wearing vintage! I made an approximation of her dress in PhotoShop and came up with a two sets of accessory options. For either option, she should pull her hair up a la Audrey and rock some 1960's style eyeliner:
I'm the plus-one of a former and possibly once-again boyfriend at his friend's wedding, for which he is a groomsman. The wedding will be large and traditional and in a hall or hotel.
The dress (very amateur rendering here) is black, with an empire waist, and hits an inch or two above the knee. Both front and back of the boat neck collar are covered in silver sequins, which have a lovely, slightly tarnished patina. The back has a diamond-shaped cut-out, also bordered in sequins, and a bow with long, drapey tails.
I'm 25, 5'6" and about 110 lbs, slender but curvy (boobs and a butt, skinny arms and not-so-slender athletic legs). My skin is olive, eyes are dark brown, hair is dark brown in a shoulder-length bob. I love heels. I, obviously, love sparkle. And, I'd love your suggestions.
I'm so excited for the upcoming labor day weekend! The city is fun when it's hot, but it gets really smelly after a couple days of heat (how do New Yorker's manage all summer long?).I am a freelance food writer and have a bit of a fashion dilemma for an upcoming meeting. I’m meeting with the coordinator of a cooking school to discuss the possibly of an opportunity for me to teach. Two hours after that, I have a lunch meeting with the editor of a lifestyle magazine. I’m so confused as to what I should wear.I love putting together professional outfits for creative types; designs, writers, etc. The rules are just a little more flexible.
I prefer wearing pants since it would be easier from me to jump from one train to the other while commuting from both places. Also, I’m quite short in height with a large chest. This makes it hard for me to put together a smart business casual outfit. Please help!
Blazer - $98 in versatile brown from Anthropologie. Also would be great with jeans.
Summer has officially arrived in San Francisco, right on schedule. It's a sweltering 75 degrees out today.
I received my great grandmother's wedding dress from my cousin over the weekend! This turn-of-the century dress is linen lace said to be handmade by nuns outside of Paris. It's one complete piece of lace with a soft empire waist and a small train in back. My great grandmother was known for her exquisite taste and this dress doesn't disappoint.
We're t-minus 25 days to the my favorite sale of the year: The Macy's Passport Sale. This bay area-only event is held every year in late September. And it's become quite the tradition for my friend Nicole and me. We get an early start, dress comfortably, hit every department and basically spend 8 hours straight inside Macy's. Last year was a big success.
I saw a link to this on Apartment Therapy SF last week and it literally blew my mind. Sculpture made entirely of books! Brilliant!
I'm not sure exactly why, but this weekend was so nerdy! Friday night wasn't too bad. We did laundry & had dinner at our local sushi restaurant. Back at home I did a spa night.
This week has gone by so fast. Probably because I slept through Tuesday entirely. Still, things were done and lessons were learned:
I missed my first ever Ladies Activity Club party this week :( Until this nasty cold came along, I had perfect attendance. And it looks like I skipped a really good one, too.I thought of an outfit question for you, I just ordered two pairs of white shoes. Aside from one dress, I don't know what to wear them with. I'm trying to branch out from always wearing black and I thought these were both cute (and a good deal, the Bloomies ones were an additional half off, so only $32, although I had to call in to get the code to work. Maybe an outfit with a dark jeans skirt would work? I just ordered this one. I'm starting to doubt my venture into owning white shoes :)White shoes are so versatile once you get used to them. They're lovely with floral-type skirts and flouncy things...but even better with darker colors. Here are two outfits, one for summer and one for fall:
Summer
Sheik is an "urban teen" brand that specializes in things like Baby Phat and rainbow skull cargo shorts. Not the place you might expect to find a killer pair of shoes.
Thank you Domino Magazine for including a link to Jamali Garden in your latest issue! (remember the bronze urn from the dark flower article?) This online floral supply store has all the good prices of a floral wholesaler but without all the ugly options.
Rob and I got home late from work last night, leaving little time or enthusiasm for cooking. So I made a new favorite standby with some leftovers we had in the fridge. It's got a great yucatan peninsula sort of flavor. Very easy and tasty!Do I have a what to wear question for you!?! Next month is my husband’s 10 year high school reunion and I would love to look FABULOUS for it. He grew up in the Laguna area of Southern California where in my mind everyone is tan and beautiful. I’m in need of an outfit STAT. I’m sure the whole thing won’t be too dressy, and will probably have a cool, laid back California vibe. Still, I’d like to look a little grown-up and really well put together.The nice thing about California-casual, is that you can basically wear anything. A nice, flattering dress is the perfect easy choice for this type of event.
I think the event will be leaning towards cocktails, but still pretty casual, beachy kind of event. Also, lest I forget to mention, the top needs to cover my shoulders and the bottom go at least to my knees.My budget is probably around $250-$300 or so. I’m gonna splurge a bit because I got a raise today.
Dress - A kimono style dress is covering, flattering and very SoCal. This pick from Anthropologie toes the line between cocktail and beach. (ed: this link keeps on breaking, apologies. The dress is called Chabana)
The more I've been wedding planning, the more I've been envying those old fashioned simple weddings. Like my parent's wedding in San Francisco, planned in a week. My mom wore a gunny sax lace dress my grandmother bought her, my dad wore a suit. They didn't have a professional photographer but the photos are lovely. Or my grandmother's wedding, held at her parent's house in the winter in Minnesota.
I watched The English Patient for the first time yesterday. It's a perfect sick day movie - long, slow and full of ill people.
I've recently begun to hate all my shoes. The high heeled pairs are uncomfortable and the flats are unattractive. Boring...too fancy...worn out...even the pairs that have served me well are suddenly blister inducing.
It's gorgeous outside today. Sunny and warm all across San Francisco. Me? Trapped inside an air conditioned office. Make that a nearly abandoned office, everyone is on vacation.
I'm exhausted from our long, busy weekend. On Friday, we met Matt at the climbing gym for an hour of bouldering. As usual, I went a little nuts and did about 20 climbs. Rob calls my bouldering technique "crazed squirrel."I'll be starting the new school year in about a month and would like to spruce up my working wardrobe a bit. I'll be teaching third grade and while I don't need business suits, I would like to present a professional front (i.e. no denim jumpers with schoolhouses!!) I don't need a whole wardrobe, perhaps just some mix/match pieces. I'm petite so I don't mind heels, but I'm on my feet all day so something comfortable is in order. Any help would be appreciated!What a great opportunity for some back-to-school shopping. I've put together some basic pieces along the same color scheme that Emily can mix and match:
Cardigan - From American Eagle in "academic aubergine."
It was really just a matter of time before I got sucked into Rob's new musical fixation. He's been taking ukulele lessons for the past four months and has become pretty good. Now he needs backup for his renditions of Something and that's where I come in.
It's been two years since I moved to San Francisco and started this blog! Hopefully, my blogging skills have gotten significantly better since then. In that time:
It's time for our third and final (for now) installment from the 1960 book Brunches and Coffees. And it's a doozie:The end of summer has arrived; and females of the species, young and old, are tan, healthy but probably no trimmer than three months ago. Permanents have grown out, skin is dry. It's time to repair the ravages of wind and sun. Your college or high school daughters and her friends would love to have a "Back to Glamour" Party given for them before they return to school.Oh lordy! If only I could convince my friends to do this sort of thing. Unfortunately, I think they'll have none of it. I'll be stuck doing my permanent and eating bacon muffins alone at home! Here's the recipe for that "non-fattening" muffin:
The place for this coffee party will have to be the kitchen, recreation room, or bedroom with it's handy mirrors and dressing table. Have your daughter hie herself down to five and ten for extra combs, bobby pins, wave set, nail polish and beauty preparations that might be forgotten by the would-be glamor girl guests. if she has or can borrow several hair dryers, so much the better. And be sure she includes a few of her father's old shirts for cover-ups.
Start this party bright and early in the morning - some of the gals have a lot of re-glamorizing to do! And be sure that there are no brothers, friends, or male relatives arriving at any time!
Have non-caloric beverages - lots of them- and non-fattening foods. The guests will be grateful for the omission of those tempting sweet rolls and coffee cakes.
Menu: Fruit juices in tray of ice, plate of assorted fruit, bacon bran muffins, melba toast - slightly buttered, hot rye crisp, cinnamon sugar, marmalade, non-caloric beverages.
4 slices bacon, cooked crisp, dicedA recipe like this has either got to be truly delicious (like pancakes and sausage?) or just absolutely horrid. Who wants to give it a try?
1 cup ready to eat bran
3/4 cup milk
1 cup flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1.2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg, slightly beaten
3 tbl. bacon fat
Combine bran and milk. Sift dry ingredients and add to bran. Add molasses, egg and bacon fat. Stir until just barely blended. Fold in crisp bacon. Bake in greased muffin pans at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.
Oh, the challenges of being extremely pale! I've grown weary of the Lancome Mexoryl "super-sunblock." It's so thick and pore clogging.
Fall! I can't wait. I tried on this plaid shirt at Gap last weekend and got a major dose of fall fever. Actually, it's quite adorable in person. Cute with jeans or with a black pencil skirt for work.
Another day another exciting installment from the 1960 entertainment book, Brunches and Coffees. Today, we're learning how to throw a baby shower: Everyone loves a baby shower. However, only good friends of the guest of honor should be invited. Most people are embarrassed to receive gifts from mere acquaintances. Your own dearest friend, if not a close friend of the lady-in-waiting, shouldn't be miffed if she is not invited.More fun with carnations and chicken wire! Next: A Back to Glamor Coffee (for teenagers!) including a recipe for "non-fattening" bacon bran muffins.
This is no time for sophisticated table decorations. Your arrangements should be as tenderly executed as a delicately pink and blue as you can make it. Place a "Rock-a-Bye Baby" doll in a tiny cradle and swing it in a make believe tree, easily fashioned from a branch from your garden. Anchor the branch in a sturdy pin holder and camouflage the base with sweetheart roses.
Another clever centerpiece can be made in a baby's warming dish [ed: what on earth?!] - the kind with a base to be filled with hot water. Anchor carnations and baby's breath into chicken wire fixed in the dish. This arrangement, container and all, can be given to the guest of honor to take home afterwards, a lovely gift an one sure to be useful later.
Make the place mats from juvenile wall paper [ed: great idea!] and scallop them around the edges. Choose napkins which match the background color.
Menu: Melon balls in parfait glasses, chicken mushroom casserole, english muffins, marmalade, currant jelly, coffee.
Here's the question: Do I need a make-up artist for my wedding day?
Thanks to my close family friend, Kate Riggins, I am starting to build up quite the collection of vintage entertaining books. The latest addition is Brunches and Coffees by Marion Courtney.The daughter of a best friend will be married at four. Take the pressure off the mother of the bride and entertain the family and wedding party at an eleven o'clock brunch.Now you know how to throw a bridal brunch, complete with carnation cakes! Next up: Baby shower brunch.
Choose a pastel color scheme, thus saving the traditional white for the wedding reception. If the bride is a blond, choose blue; or if she is a dark-eyed brunet, use petal pink. Carry this color into the linens and even into the aprons and caps of the maids, and the ties of the bartenders or bus boys.
Serve champagne punch and Catawba grape juice icy cold to give the party a glamorous beginning. Ring the punch bowls with camellia leaves and carnations, and float a flower or two in each bowl.
Make fifteen-inch tiered cakes on chicken wire frames of pink and blue carnations interspersed with huckleberry leaves. If you plan to serve buffet style, a pink or blue taffeta cloth with an overskirt of white net at the corners with small bouquets of the same carnations would be charming.
Menu: eggs benedict, blueberry muffins, pickled peach, strawberries richelieu, coffee.
This dark denim trench from Tulle seems to be just the right thing. Forget boxy jean jackets, last season's blazers and easy-to-stain white trenches, this coat would be ideal in San Francisco all year round. Especially lovely paired with a bright dress or trousers I'm sure.
Anthropologie....why are you always equal parts amazing and frustrating? The best dressing rooms in the city & always a line. The coolest clothes & so, so many of the oddest. The massive number of scented candles you keep burning at all times (honestly, is it one person's dedicated job? do you have to keep a candlemaster on staff?).
It's been another very busy week in San Francisco. We went to the movies, hosted a dinner party, played ukulele and got a lot of sleep. Pretty much perfect! Here's what I learned:
Hooray! The sun is out today!I just bought a cute shirtdress and was wondering whether you could come up with some outfit ideas around it. It's red, hits slightly above the knee, has short sleeves, and came with a wide black belt. I'd like to be able to wear it in spring, summer, and fall if possible; I'm thinking layering, but not sure how best to go about it. Your help would be greatly appreciated.I'm such a fan of shirtdresses! Here's my recommendation:
Last night's dinner went pretty well! Especially for cooking a new recipe (always a risk).
