If you're going to get gel nails, you might as well rock a design that you won't get tired of looking at after a few days. Since my salon doesn't often do the fancy nail designs; I brought in a photo, chose three different metallic colors including a frost white base, gunmetal center, and a sparkling gold tip. My manicurist topped it off with a black outline to highlight the chevrons.
Happy Halloween! Today is the ideal day to sink your fangs in to something wickedly sweet.
Vogue Japan, Nov 2009 issue via Sarah Stephens by Thomas Lagrange.
On Friday, September 14th, Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama 2012 invades San Francisco to honor three incredible decades of fashion and compassion with this year’s theme The British Invasion: The Music Then. The Fashion Now! at the historic Orpheum Theatre. This iconic event, brings together musical performances (Robin Thicke, Karmin, Megan & Liz), Fall fashion (Bar III, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Material Girl, Rachel Rachel Roy,Sean John,Tommy Hilfiger, and the exclusive, limited-edition Nicole Richie for Impulse), booty-shaking dance, and the most glam after party with delicious cuisine by Taste Catering -now in its 28th year as a partner. This not-to-miss celebration is all for an unforgettable evening to benefit longstanding partners AIDS Emergency Fund, Glide Foundation and Project Open Hand.
The after party, at the Asian Art Museum will give a nod to British culture, food and design. Attendees will sip bubbly in the American Express Champagne Lounge and specialty cocktails from Patrón Spirits, dance to music by DJ L, mingle with cast and crew, and taste gourmet British-inspired hors d’oeuvres by Taste Catering, with highlights like Fish ‘n Chips and a Pudding Buffet with modern twists on classic English desserts. Partygoers can also create a personalized flip book courtesy of Office Max, have a consultation with a MAC Cosmetics expert before posing with the band for a Patrón Photo Shoot, grab a snack at the LUNA bar wall, and sample desserts from See’s Candies. I recently had a sneak peak and menu sampling of the 2012 festivities, and can not wait to experience Glamorama live in a couple weeks.
Fish ‘n Chips w/UK Newspaper Cones
Devonshire Cream Chocolate Éclairs
Just in case you are wondering how Passport got its start, it began as an awareness-raising fashion show in a Macy’s employee cafeteria in 1982 and has since grown into one of the largest and longest-running HIV/AIDS events of its kind. The fashion benefit, with the help of the Macy’s Foundation, has donated more than $30 million to HIV/AIDS services, prevention, education and research. I've gone many years in the past, and it's always a must-attend party. Best part of all, it's all for a noteworthy cause.
Ginger Nectarine Treacle Tart
The Summer Olympics may be over, but Macy's Glamorama benefit, soiree, fashion show, concert and culinary excursion all-in-one is the perfect way to celebrate Fall and all things British in San Francisco. Purchase your tickets now and get ready to party!
Treacle Glazed Chicken Sandwich
TICKETS FOR MACY'S GLAMORAMA CAN BE PURCHASED HERE
Continue reading "Gilt City San Francisco Beauty & Wellness Week 8/20-26" »
Thank God for illy coffee this past weekend. The crowds came out in full effect to Union Square for the fourth annual SF Chefs - San Francisco's most anticipated culinary festival. It was non-stop action and the caffeine definitely came in handy. It's hard to believe that it was already four years ago since then Mayor Gavin Newsom and Bay Area-local Tyler Florence were cutting the ribbon on opening night. Back in 2009, we didn't know what would become of SF Chefs, but fast forward to 2012 and I'm happy to report that it has gotten better, even more delicious than ever.
illy's Master Barista Giorgio Milos
SF Chefs is no longer just a celebration of local chefs, but a gathering of food and beverage industry talent from near and far. In fact, one of the first events to sell out this year was the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony hosted by Scandinavian-raised, New York-based Chef Marcus Samuelsson with Italian illy Master Barista Giorgio Milos. You can't get more international, culture club than that. Samuelsson noted that Ethiopian coffee has recognizable citrus and floral notes, and it's a must that you cook coffee beans at the correct temperature. If not, they will burn. Drinking coffee in Ethiopia is taken seriously, and it's not just a quick 5-10 minute occurence which you often see here in the United States. In Ethiopia, Samuelsson says that it's often an hour or more beginning with the process of washing raw, unwashed coffee beans and then roasting them on a fire.
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony at Espressamente illy Cafe
At SF Chefs, Samuelsson also hosted an illy's Explorigin event with San Francisco star chef Chris Consentino. They, along with a chef from the CIA prepared courses incorporating illy's MonoArabica coffee with local ingredients and the result was absolutely divine. The morning crowd was wide awake and hootin' and hollerin' "Yes, Chef" and oohing and aahing while tasting the prepared dishes - which included Consentino's Prather Ranch Veal tartare with coffee, mushrooms and dried blueberries, and Samuelsson's coffee-cured duck breast with Matsumoto peaches.
Consentino's veal tartare with illy coffee, blueberries, mushrooms
Samuelsson's illy MonoArabica -cured duck breast
Throughout the weekend, the gracious, fashionable Samuelsson -the new illy MonoArabica Brand Ambassador was decked out in signature illy red either in button-up leather vests or high-top chucks (Converse). He credits his fashion-industry wife for assisting him with his outfits and it's no surprise, he was named one of Vanity Fair Magazine's Best Dressed. Despite the bright and colorful crimson clothing and accessories, Samuelsson's generous spirit and infectious energy is what makes him a constant standout. In addition to being a James Beard Award-winning chef, and author of several cookbooks, with a recent memoir, Yes, Chef, he is also a philanthropist who finds it a priority to give back to the community.
Decked out in YSL & Gap in San Francisco's Union Square
The collaboration with illy seemed a natural fit, since both Marcus and the origins of coffee were born in Ethiopia. While interviewing Marcus, he noted that "Illy is committed to finding the best coffee beans in the world and their MonoArabica line is the best of Brazilian coffee, Guatemalan coffee, and Ethiopian coffee." He was happy to see Ethiopian coffee finally "getting the recognition it deserves with a brand such as illy" and although he moved away from Ethiopia after he was adopted as a young child, he mentioned that he and his wife still go back every year with the various charities they work on.
Food Fashionista Interviewing Samuelsson - the new illy ambassador
During SF Chefs, the illy Lounge was the hot place to be. At any given moment, you'd find the industry's most-notable talent getting their conversation and coffee fix on in the stylish illy Lounge. Spotted in the chic, contemporary gathering spot were industry folks such as Charles Phan, Consentino, Thomas McNaughton, Drew Nieporent, Dominique Crenn, Martin Yan, Tyler Florence, and the legendary Cecelia Chang.
Cecelia Chang - a woman who definitely lives happ(illy)
Tyler Florence chatting with Samuelsson in the illy Lounge
With illy-coffee desserts prepared by local patisseries and illy single-origin coffee being brewed all day long, how could you resist. I mean, when someone is offering you a Devil's Chocolate Cake with illy-coffee frosting and a whimsically-decorated latte, are you going to say no. I don't think so.
Devil's Chocolate Cake with illy Coffee Frosting
Even if you didn't make it to SF Chefs this year, you can still discover the excitement of illy's new MonoArabica coffee which consists of three single origin beans from Ethiopia, Brazil, and Guatemala. They are each unique and come alive with distinct characteristics born of region-specific soil, altitude, rainfall, sun and cultivation profiles. The notable Aroma, taste and body vary from origin-to-origin, country-to-country, to create a wonderfully satisfying effect in the cup. As an appreciator of beautiful aesthetics and great taste, illy has been a brand that I've chosen to experience around the world and even in my own home. Their collaboration with contemporary artists have resulted in some gorgeous masterpiece coffee cups. With illy, it's not just about drinking a cup of coffee, it's the entire experience - from smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound.
If you are in San Francisco, you can sample the new MonoArabica coffee at:
123 Battery Street
San Francisco (CA)
Learn more about the exciting world of illy HERE
Vintage FENDI, Green tea, Fresh Strawberries with Honey Nut Clusters
Only after I glanced at day before yesterday's Instagram did I realize that everything I posted had a French theme. No surprise there. J'aime la France. Happy Bastille Day, my friends.
Moules Frites (Mussels and Fries) with a baguette and a glass of Beaujolais at Grand Cafe. Although the Orpheum is in a sketchy neighborhood, Grand Cafe is a good spot to grab a quick, pre-theatre bite followed by a brisk 10-15 minute walk to the play to burn calories. *Note the French newspaper.
Chanel my belle - canvas peep-toe pump
The 25th of Anniversary of Les Misérables is now showing at the Orpehum Theatre. I attended the Opening Night performance this week and fell in Les Mis love all over again. You can catch it now through August 26th. Dream the dream.
I'm Japanese. I take lots of photos, I like raw fish, and yes...I know how to make origami. For those of you who are like "wt* is origami", according to Wikipedia, it's a " traditional Japanese art of paper folding which started in the 17th Century AD". I just remember it as a hobby from my childhood. I'd have a stack of square-colored paper in metallic, pastels, neons, and neutrals and I'd have my origami book and I'd make stuff. Cranes, boxes, yachts (okay, row boats), and rings.
I recently made a ring out of a dollar bill (above), and my friends just loved it. A few chefs I know even wanted to show their kids. And that, my friends is a good thing, since I've found that dollar-bill origami is actually a fantastic way to keep kids entertained at the dining table. Not everyone wants their little ones to bring their video games or coloring books into restaurants, but someone, somewhere always has the dollar bills in their pockets or purse.
Just make sure to carry some $1's or the kiddies may be sporting some pricey origami bling.
For instructions on HOW TO MAKE A MONEY ORIGAMI RING, visit HERE
Tart original-flavored Nubi Yogurt w/lychee, condensed milk, shaved cocount and jellies + Pour la Victoire black leather Vesper boots + Leopard skinnies (originally shot on Food Fashionista's Instagram)
Originally featured in Citysearch SF's New & Notable
Oh, Jimmy…what took you so long? We’ve been waiting for years.
Choo shoe lovers can rejoice as Jimmy Choo finally opens its first 1700 square foot stand-alone boutique in San Francisco. Most well-known for their stylish stilettos, this British luxury brand will also offer handbags, accessories, and fragrances in their boudoir-inspired Union Square location. The natural-colored décor accompanied with lavish, contemporary mirrors and chandeliers make the perfect backdrop for the season’s collection of ultra-bright footwear and leather goods. Chic techies will love the exclusive black and white crystal-encrusted “TYLER” iPad case ($495).
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
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