San Francisco


Fashion, Home, North America, Travel

  

San Francisco Vancouver Linkedin

The Hayes Street zip code will surpise you. It’s cool, It’s trendy, It’s completely San Francisco. Furnish your house, buy clothing, get your hair cut, drink snappy cocktails, eat fries…it’s all nestled in there.

Under the Skirt

 Dark Garden- Stumbled on this store off Hayes on Linden St next to Blue Bottle Coffee. Totally unique. They carry ready to wear, custom made corsets, & clothing. From bridal ensembles to hats, gloves, jewelry and stockings all for the hopeless romantic. Just think how differently your dress will fit with a corset singed underneath accompanied with high heels and stockings! That’s an image your lover wont forget as he playfully undresses you. Owner Autumn Adamme also creates corsets for people with back problems to help them manage their pain. I think anyone could have pain strapped in snuggly to a corset. We do what we have to for fashion.

 

Alla Prima Fine Lingerie- As your mom told you always think about your underwear!  You don’t know where you might end up later that night! This store carrys cutting edge designer lingerie. Lingerie brands like La Perla coupled with the chic Parisian swimwear line Eres. Are you the bikini or one piece gal? Barbara could live in LA with the number of bathing suits she has purchased.

Uko -with a shop on Union St as well as Hayes Street has artistic, unusual and architectural pieces from casual to dressy, mainly French brands like Cop Copaine

What Do You Sleep In?

 You might want to put your feet up at Cisco Home a Los Angeles based furnishing company using renewable materials, non toxic finishing and reclaimed materials. You thought you were just resting! An eco friendly interior so San Francisco.

 

Starving?

For a great ethnic blend stroll and choose your country.  From Tandori Grill, Bar Jules, Supperkuche, Frjtz and of course, Absinthe take your pick.

United /Air Canada FLT 001

No, it’s not your flight number it’s a store that helps you get you from one place to another. You know those 3 oz bottles, maps, travel guides, luggage tags all items needed for flying off to your next destination…ours isVancouver

The critera had to be a non stop flight within a two hour radius of San Francisco. Also Barb only allowed me a carry on bag, almost a deterrent to the trip. Cool, chic and classic. Bridges feed into the interior of the city across waterways weighted by rugged mountains and dense forests.

Mirrored Images : Dress by DVF, Coat Vintage

  • Stanley Park = Golden Gate Park
  • Granville Island = Ferry Market Building
  • Gastown=Fishermans Wharf
  • Robson Street=Union Square/Union Street
  • Capilano Bridge=our Golden Gate

 

Urban Chefs

Cardero’s Restaurant -Cuddled in Coal Harbor, the coolest area in Vancouver. Where you can watch seaplanes skim the water while you savor the taste of mussels and frites and drink icy locally brewed Canadian beer.

Zefferelli’s Restaurant 21-year –old establishment that prevails for its consistent Italian fare. Spaghetti Bolognese a must. Dine in this intimate restaurant with multiple tiered exposed rows of wine bottles bordering the wall. A blend of high end dining with family casual. Great value. Definitely not nouvelle cuisine. Who thought of that concept anyways? One scallop and a chive is not my idea of dinner.

The Keg – best outdoor rooftop patio in Vancouver. Vibrant city views while sitting amongst multiple fireplaces in the adjacent lounge areas. Try the creamy cheese toast.  Even in the frigid rain it’s dripping in charm. The Canadians that have not fled to Palm Springs are sitting outside on the rooftops.

Wedgewood Hotel -A Relais Chateaux Hotel encompassing one of the hottest lounges in Vancouver. Fireplaces, pianist, Caesar’s cocktails all lend to the vibe. Why can’t we get this drink in San Franciso? It’s really all about the tomato juice fulfilling our daily nutrient requiremants.

Gerard Lounge at Sutton Place Hotel -mini SF Huntington Hotel with rich, warm wood interior. Classically elegant, international crowd. Try to recall your high school foreign language skills. Remember those early years of French when you were sleeping in class should have paid attention.

Fashion First

Grey Dress by Stella Mc Cartney Grey bag Ermanno Scervino

Visit Yaletown a trendy area with bars, clothing boutiques and cafes. Shop at Hollywood Boutique where Sandy found new salsa attire additions. She now admitts she may have gotten overzealous in her purchaes – things always look better when you are in another country. Don’t skip going to West 4th Street in Kitsilano for the latest in trendy, urban attire.

San Francisco our style sister to Vancouver – both embody trendy, urban diversification.  Although their real estate may really be more expensive. Sandy actually spent part of New Year”s Eve looking at condos. Did anyone else spent their New Years Eve doing that???

Don’t forget click on Married & Ssingle, Books & Looking Good for latest updates

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Canada


Fashion, Home, North America, Travel

  

How far would you fly for a date?

Have been looking at weather.com for last 3 days cant believe my eyes largest storm ever 30 degrees below zero, fear of flying, and 50 seat miniature plane. Why am I going? I am dating out of the country The Western Cowboy. Unlike Barbara who tries to only do carry on, I pack my steamer truck.

High Heels, Short Skirt & Ice?

Dressing for 10 below and looking fabulous – trying to wear high heel boots on a sheet of ice. Maybe not very practical – but a bright red short sleeveless TSE cashmere dress found at TSE Cashmere Outlet in Napa, size large does not deter me, when I can re-construct it for great value. Accompanied by DSW high heel fur boots. Cold temperatures do not curtail the Canadian spirit the restaurant and bars are jammed …

Flirt with Fur

Dress by Alexander Wang, Fur from Buenos Aires

Always wear a chic vest it goes over and under everything. Down or Fur. Took an older fur jacket (faux will do) and cut off sleeves and re-style into vest. Before giving anything away  think of how to re-design, chop, crop, & wear  the backwards for another look. That’s the challenge of styling.

If you’re re-styling fur or just tyring to preserve it, we recommend JEH Fur Services in Concord, CA. Best part they pick up and deliver for free.

The Wild Wild West

For a city girl who loves to play Eloise in hotels – Mr. Cowboy surprised me  with a night at Storm Mountain Lodge  outside Banff and Lake Louise. An Historic rocky mountain retreat – secluded – your closest neighbor could be the bear, lion or coyote. 12 individual log cabins –  outfitted with massive wood burning fireplace and fabulous bed. The only reason to leave your bed is for the restaurant on property. A local award winning restaurant, fairy tale like dining room setting – lamb is the signature dish. After a couple of bottles of wine, snuggle up in the cabin, get close & take off all those layers!.

Don’t worry about calories… Burn them off

Must visit the “Fudgery” in Banff – 25 years old famous for handmade fudge. Sorry girls they do ship! Can’t worry about hips, thighs or stomach it is worth every bite.

Coyote’s Restaurant is tucked in the Canadian Rockies, in Banff. A South Western Grill where signature best breakfast dish is Huevos Rancheros. Equally great are lunch and dinner. I ate there twice in one day. Renown for their caesar salad with cilantro. Worth a trip to Banff just to eat there.

Sometimes you have to indulge, splurge, and consume – then just step up your aerobics activity to offset the calories. I don’t mean the stairmaster; what else burns calories faster and has a higher fun factor?

Tell us where you are, what you wear, and what we can research for you!

Hawaii


Fashion, Home, North America, North America, Travel

As Sandy goes off to shiver and ski in Deer Valley I go with my honey to sun and surf to Maui.

Put aside notions of shell necklaces and hotel-sponsored luaus. 

Maui IS paradise.  First thing  you do is have that mai tai!

 

Fashion Tip: Leave ball gown at home.  Resist temptation to pack for the “what ifs ”.           

Carry on bag only.  That way you have room for…            

 Fashion Find:  a true grit experience giddayap to Aloha Cowboy in Makawao, a town  with no stop lights – actual hitching posts.  Family owned 30 years,  buy custom made t-shirts and tanks all emblazed with sexy cowgirl  in bikini, grass skirt and cowboy hat. Kid sizes too. Don’t forget the authentic Luchesse boots.  Saddle not included. Jeans by Target

 

 

Skin Tip: Sunblock : La Roche-Posey 50+ Anthelios XL. Only sold in Europe until recently, mine comes from Linda at MedEstheticsRX.

Use it every day, rain or shine.   Wrinkles are not cute!

 

Skin Tip # 2 : I use Summer Glow by Neutrogena .  A good value that moisturizers and self – tans.  White skin and bikini, a bad look.

 

Drink Tip: I love vodka. Try Organic Ocean Vodka, made in Maui, 10% of profits donated to preserving  the world’s oceans. Drink responsibly!

Try combining Skye pineapple vodka with Jamba juice.  

 

Best cocktail viewing on Maui –  outdoors at Merrimans in Kapalua

 

And since man cannot live by drink alone…

 

Take a ride to Paia, Maui’s coolest beach town.  It was raining so I got to shop and eat pizza at Flatbread Company.  Using a primative oversized wood oven, they serve not only outrageous pizza but wonderful organic salads as well. 

 

Restaurant Tip: Market Fresh Bistro in Makawao. Find of the trip. Dine at hidden off road gem.  Chef owner Justin Pardo fashions locally sourced ingredients into meals worthy of his past experience in the kitchens of Daniels and Tabla in NYC. Worth the drive. Reserve early and say hi to co owner David and Olivia for me.  Call 808-572-4877 

 

Food Tip:  Mala Ocean Tavern, owned by Mark and Judy Ellman in Lahaina – Oceanside eatery…small plates, tuna sashimi,  killer French toast. Hip, cool bar. The servers shirts say “ Practice Aloha,” the concept of compassion and kindness found everywhere on Maui

 

Continue practicing all the Hawaiian “Spirits.” 

 

And dont’t forget…click on Married & Single, Books and Looking Good for latest updates.

 

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