Gruyer or Sheep's Milk Brie

After tasting some local cheeses last week in Napa, I looked into pictures from a Paris trip. I found the most incredible shop (pictured). It was a pungent heaven. So many classes I've never heard of and wanted to try. Locally, I like to keep my eye out for the same. Sonoma Cheese makes some wonderful California cheese as well as the Cowgirl Creamery (located in the Ferry Building).

We were sitting outside a cafe in Paris and noticed a dog waiting patiently on a motorcycle. The white haired pooch was comfortable wearing glasses. I thought that was strange. I guess you can say that French dogs are chic and bike ride, maybe they sip wine and eat a little fromage also, who knows.

Cameron Diaz Ad

062609_V60_Mert&Marchus_spread3
Originally uploaded by hudson_jeans

I kind of like this ad I found on Flickr. How Madonna of Cameron Diaz. The Madonna I saw as my first concert experience at Dodger Stadium, many moons ago for the Who's That girl Tour. Go Cam.

Napa in the Fall

I went to Napa (and started in Sonoma) in a limo full of girlfriends last weekend. We sipped some well crafted wines at a handful of vineyards, ate wonderful cheese with sparkling wine at Domaine Carneros and brunched at Boont Fly in Carneros.


Domaine Carneros (above)


Fall is one of the most beautiful times to visit wine country. The leaves are changing and the weather is still relatively warm. I can't wait to go back again soon and discover more gems in Napa like Goose Crossing. Lucky me, the most stunning wine region is only an hour north of San Francisco!






Vines at Goose Crossing

Kara's Cupcakes in the Marina district, San Francisco

Mmmm Kara's Cupcakes

Kara's Cupcakes in the Marina district, San Francisco
Originally uploaded by beastandbean

If you're ever visiting San Francisco, Kara's are the best cupcakes in the city. I have been on a cupcake kick and they have the most delicious coconut cupcakes in my opinion. They have mini ones that keep me guilt free.

Beautiful Rose

...
Originally uploaded by { andrew }

I came across this artful photograph on Flickr.
It seemed sad yet pulled me in. Enjoy!

Leopard Prints

cheetah cheetah everywhere
Originally uploaded by hudson_jeans

I thought these were fun. I love a good animal print, especially in color.

As the Leaves Change

As the leaves fall off the trees and the air turns crisp and chilly, I am reminded of the wonderful summer we had.





This was a great weekend in North Lake Tahoe, and yes the water is so clean you can see the rocks clearly on the lake front beaches. You are so high in elevation that 70 degrees feels like 80. I live for the warm weather when the sun heats your body, when sand gets stuck in places it shouldn't. With time change approaching I have to relish in the summer we had and prepare to plunge into the next wet season of Northern California. Lake Tahoe is quite magical when draped in snow, but the summer in my eyes, is the best.

Halloween and Chucky

Fashion Week NYC
Originally uploaded by nancydowd

Halloween is right around the corner, what will you be this year (or your little one)? These Chucky dolls would make me run in the opposite direction but I thought together they look like some kind of humorous and strange evil child gang. Olivia will be a cat this year...unless I can get a hold of a chucky head.

Don't just sit there

Hipster
Originally uploaded by Joel Bedford

Photo by Joel Bedford

If you're just sitting around this weekend, you'll miss out on some great music at the Hardly Strictly Blue Grass Festival in San Francisco. I went earlier this evening, and listened to Lyle Lovett croon on the Banjo stage. My little Olivia ate fresh corn on the cob and organic hot dog. She up-chucked on the way home, but had a ball eating the foot long corn stick. Go if you can!

fashion week, nyc

fashion week, nyc
Originally uploaded by { andrew }

Georgia Jagger

GMJ2
Originally uploaded by hudson_jeans

Georgia Jagger is the new face of Hudson Jeans, she is the daughter of Mick Jagger as you can see by the lips. Gorgeous girl, very Bridgette Bardot.

Washington Square

What is it about New York. I went there last week for work and stayed in Grenwich Village, a half block from Washington Square park. It was balmy and my skinny jeans stuck to my legs as I walked throught the city in the evenings. I was constantly sweaty and slightly uncomfortable but it felt great to be warmed. I was blocks from some of the best restaurants in the city and one of my favorite neighborhoods to people watch and soak in the energy of the area. It was warm still and the city looked so green and alive. I was visiting for Fashion Coterie and loved every second of it.


Washington Square
Originally uploaded by verphotoman

Upcoming Bay Area Dance Performances

Tango Dancers
Originally uploaded by -N-Root-

The dance season is coming underway and I am very excited to see some wonderful talent in the bay area in the next few months. Lines Ballet, ODC, Company C and Margaret Jenkins are a few companies that will take the stage soon in addition to SF Ballet. In the meantime, I thought this shot of tango dancers interwined is inspiring and so sensual.

A Day In California Wine Country

A quick jaunt over the golden gate bridge and you reach bountiful wine country. It is my favorite way to escape...north...for sunshine, open land and fresh oxygen via the best greenery. We skipped over most of Napa, except for Domain Chandon for sparkling wine and the most beautiful grounds. I love anything covered in creeping ivy. We followed up with Alexander Valley at Geyser Peak and ended at Simi, among the most stunning tree-scaped grounds and my favorite white wines.

Crown and Crumpet

We enjoyed a late afternoon tea over the weekend at the Crown and Crumpet in Ghiradelli Square, San Francisco. The square has evolved its look by adding new quaint shops to peruse, wine tasting stops and sweet places like the one we entered for high tea that had a view overlooking the bay. They had a myriad of wonderful teas to sip with dainty de-crusted finger sandwiches, crumpets with salad, and baby sized cupcakes, brownies and other sweet treats. The decor was what created the fantasy tea haven for little girls and baby showers (though I did actually see a guy in the room). It was not your grandma's tea house, and there was even a sign that said no doilies allowed. Instead they had tasteful floral prints, modern lamps and decor that was simple and creative. My little Olivia loved the plate of toy candies they placed in front of her as she sipped imaginary tea and was hyped up on sugary treats.

1938 Fashion

page from 1938 fashion catalogue
Originally uploaded by juffrouwjo

I came upon this Sears and Roebuck catalog ad. How wholesome and all-American, they look like they are living the dream. I guess that is what fashion is about, feeling wonderful and expressing your ideal self.

Kisses along the water

Well it's a fantastic Summer day today! I can find a funny feeling...funny as a smile...let`s kiss and enjoy Summer...
Originally uploaded by neloqua

Love this photo. No words necessary.

Ranunculus

Happy Friday! Sending you a vase of fresh flowers!

Ranunculus
Originally uploaded by Craft & Creativity

I love these vibrant hues. The brighter the better. What are you up to this warm weekend? I can hear Outside Lands Festival beginning, literally through my cracked window. It is an all weekend music festival in Golden Gate Park and though I won't be there, I will hear it pretty clearly. Have a fabulous weekend!

Summer Days

It feels as though summer is being squeezed out by the on coming fall and we've only had a handful of lovely beach days in San Francisco this summer.







I don't mind, I am itching to buy some new boots and embrace the new season. Maybe I've been in the gray summer days of the city and feel used to the mild air already. I wore a wool coat and scarf just today. Well, Labor Day is coming soon and that means one more search for the sun and the last taste of beach sand for Olivia, and then we'll have to sharpen our pencils and buy some note books. Our summer will come...we'll relish in it late September-October!

The Meatballs at Bar Bambino

IMG_1522
Originally uploaded by ultraclay!

I have to say, Bar Bambino is my new favorite place in San Francisco. I am still dreaming of the meatballs. They were perfect. I went to dinner with a girlfriend on Friday night and tried to make the meatballs myself on Saturday. I wanted more! My meatballs were awful in comparison. Everything about Bar Bambino was delicious and well done.

Salumi bar at Bar Bambino

IMG_1514
Originally uploaded by ultraclay!

Bar Bambino had the most wonderful salumi bar and the little appetizer bites like fresh tomato bruschetta were incredible. I had the most diverse plate of olives as well. This place was oh so good!

Bar Bambino, San Francisco

Bar Bambino San Francisco 001
Originally uploaded by Italy in SF

The leather tether that wrapped around the napkin was a great little detail at Bar Bambino, a place in the heart of the mission district of San Francisco. And the leather covered menu was a nice touch as well. It added to the rustic quality of the food served. The interior of the tiny restaurant was anything but rustic, it was simple and chic.

Cupcakes

Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by Craft & Creativity

I saw these cupcakes and they inspired me to want to bake, they were just beautiful. There are so many cupcake shops in San Francisco that you can buy one any day of the week. And not just any cupcake, the softest cake and I personally like the coconut flavored one from Kara's cupcakes. Does that take away or add to the special occasion of a cupcake?

Swan Lake at Stern Grove

Ballet Nacional de Cuba
Originally uploaded by rayparnova

We went to Stern Grove festival this afternoon to see the San Francisco Ballet in all its grace take the stage at the free outdoor festival. It was the most crowded I've ever seen the festival and still was a treat to see three different pieces danced, one being Swan Lake. The dance company is beautiful to watch and the grove is like a breath of fresh air with trees surrounding you and people relaxing or taking a picnic. It was Olivia's first ballet experience and she squealed with delight after the first pause to clap. I think she liked it even with her toddler attention span. Just being outdoor and people watching was good enough for her while I was able to see supreme artists do their thing.

Dreaming of vacation

Life's A Beach
Originally uploaded by robbie4455

This photo is the beach near Cancun, Mexico. It would be lovely to go somewhere tropical for a week or more. As most of you, I yearn for a vacation that doesn't include going to visit family in another part of the country. A place that has clean folded towels, maid service, good food that you don't have to cook and drinks with straws. Aaahhhh vacation. I don't think that will happen till December! Till then I have to make my own Mai Tai.

Chicken Sandwich Bento

Chicken Sandwich Bento
Originally uploaded by Jason + Amanda - allergyfriendlypastries.com

I read somewhere that decorating kid bento boxes has become the all the rave in Japan, to a point of competition of whose bento is the best. It appears that the trend has hit our country as well. Any child would be excited (and adults too- at least a few I know) to open the lunch box to see this creative and seemingly easy to do, lunch. Move over sloppy joe, you've been out done!

Backyard Bliss

We spent Sunday in a friend's backyard for a birthday BBQ in a suburb 20 miles from San Francisco. It was sunny and warm, unlike the city's foggy summer months. I don't mind the fog, but after more than a week of it I get tired of the grey and want sunshine! I was looking though a California Design magazine and was inspired by the back yards of some local homes. I liked the modern feel to this one, surrounded by greenery. Looks like a city deck in the woods.


wooden home balcony
Originally uploaded by stan.stauffer

Toddler Ballet Class

My daughter Olivia is just 15 months and just took her first ballet class. I know some people may think I'm nuts, that she's too young, but I think not. She loves to dance at home and if you say the word dance, she starts to move. The whole experience was sweet. She wore a baby blue leotard and matching skirt, with pink and navy stripped Juicy Couture leg warmers. Olivia knew something special was about to happen, and was excited just to wear her ballet dress. Then there were the other kids dressed alike and she was in heaven. The Tutu school looked like a little girls dream land with lavender walls, bamboo floors and various tutus gracing the walls. The teacher, Miss Abby, wore pointe shoes and was dressed in black and pink ballet garb. With her encouraging smile and miles of patience and guidance, Miss Abby completed the whole ballet magic of the class. They danced to Stravinsky's Firebird in a large circle and ran around. It was a delightful Saturday morning and when we came home, she went straight to sleep for a long nap!
Stay in line, girls!
Originally uploaded by Sonic Armin

Pillows

A way to add freshness to any room are colorful throw pillows. I was sitting in my living room and decided I needed to change things up. Instead of buying a new couch or rug, I went economical and bought some modern looking blue throw pillows. It changed the look of the room and added color. Easy enough to do, gentlemen. Just go to World Market or Pier One for a good selection.


home-accessories-collection
Originally uploaded by masminto354