What I'm Thankful For...

After a long weekend of travel and turkey, I thought I'd take a moment to share all that I'm thankful for:

- my youthful good looks (naturally darling!)
- that my holiday shopping is done, viola!
- that I'm home safe and sound after 4, count them 4 holiday flights - aack
- that TSA didn't toss my luggage, and United didn't lose it
- that I didn't actually have to eat turkey at all

I hope all your holidays were lovely or at least better than Nick & Jessica's!

Personal Oasis

I just returned from the most fabulous facial darlings. I was at the Spa Vitale at the Hotel Vitale this morning. I know, Hotel Vitale has a spa?! They do, and it's on the 8th floor. It's the kind of zen oasis that Nordstrom Spa used to be in the good old days before it was discovered by tourists and bridal parties.

I had the stress buster facial. It was lovely. Not too fragrant, FashionGirl doesn't want to smell like an aging hippy you know. Marty, my facialist, has a touch as light and delicate as a butterfly. Unctions and lotions slid carelessly over my parched skin. Then, sigh, massage. Neck, shoulders, scalp. I practically melted into the table.

You must give Spa Vitale a try.

And if you're feeling really fabulous, follow it up with a cocktail in the Americano Restaurant downstairs. You'll double your glow!

Shop Girl

Okay I admit I've not read Steve Martin's novella. However, I've got to tell you all to drop whatever you are doing, and head to the theatre for this movie. The critics had me expecting a dark and depressing prozac-laden, coming of age, angst film. I mean, Claire Danes is born to play that kind of role, she's fragile and a little brittle if you ask me. But I was wrong. This is one of the sweetest films I've seen in years. In fact I don't think it's an overstatement to say it's the best film I've seen all year.

The story follows Mirabelle, a dreamy 20-something clerk at the glove counter of Saks Fifth Avenue. It tracks her aborted romance with Jeremy (Loser with a capital L!). It also focuses on her budding romantic attachment to Ray, a much older man she meets through work, who introduces her to the good life. Steve Martin's performance as Ray is so nuanced you'd swear he is playing himself. In keeping his distance from Mirabelle emotionally, he robs them both of what could be a great love, and leaves the audience in agony wishing he could just give a little more. I was amazed he could convey that much pain and regret with just a look.

All three major characters bounce off of each other and undergo transitions as a result. They evolve from the pain they cause each other. In the end they rise above their encounters to create a completely unique happy ending.

You should definitely see this film!

The Naked Truth

USA today ran an article today about why Jennifer Aniston is "our most beguiling friend". I'll tell you why, because she's naked! Naked, naked, naked, naked, naked. Every magazine cover this girl does is skin. Rolling Stone: ass shot, Vanity Fair: partial boob shot, GQ: partial boob again. Frankly it's disgusting.

Maybe a young actress with no discernible talents feels she has to cover by uncovering. It's either that or she promised her plastic surgeon she'd be photographed nude as much as possible. Now I know she has a gorgeous figure. Hell, I'd die for her body. Perhaps if I was in it I'd be running around nude all the time yelling, "Look at me, look at me". But I'm not.

You don't see Courtney Cox or Lisa Kudrow running around in magazines in the buff. Nor for that matter David Schwimmer or Matthew Perry (whew! dodged a couple of bullets there). Matt Le Blanc I'm not so sure about, there was that hooker thing in Vegas...

But my point is this. When are JA's 15 minutes over? I'm sick of this chick.

The De Youngification of San Francisco

As most of you may know the De Young museum has recently reopened. It was damaged in the 1989 earthquake, and has stood strong and silent in Golden Gate Park since I arrived here 8 years ago. I voted for the bonds to rebuild it. I was excited to see the world class collections it housed. Now, finally, after years of waiting it's here!

One thing though. What's up with copper? The new De Young is sheathed in it. Magazines are aghast at the choice, people are raving or critiquing, architects are now addicted to the stuff. There is an "insta-slum" (read 6-unit modern construction condo) going up not far from me. Two actually, right across the street from each other. Guess what? Each is sheathed in copper accents.

Now normally I'm all over a surface in which I can check my reflection, but I think the "De Youngification" of my fair city is taking things a bit too far. Any architect will tell you that with time the copper accents will take on a "fine patina" and give the building an unique character. Um...I think you mean it's going to turn a gross green color, and leak down the side of the building. Eventually those streaks will turn black with age. This will turn your "fine patina" into an eyesore. Enough people. Let's move on.

These are a few of my favorite things

I'm a list maker by nature. I have lists of places I'd like to travel, things I'd like to buy, people *dead and alive* I'd like to meet. You name it, I have it on a list. So I thought it might be fun to stop making lists in my head, and share a few of my favorite things.

Today's topic. Cocktails. Here goes...

favorite beer (bottled) - Negro Modelo, very cold - preferably on a Mexican beach favorite beer (tap) - Anchor Steam
favorite cocktail (out) - Medjool's rose vodka cocktail, it's pink, fizzy perfection
favorite cocktail (home) - Grapefruit infusion cosmopolitan, I love making infusions
wine - Red over white, unless it's a hot day, then Bernardus Chardonnay chilled
chick drink - Lemon Drop or a Ruby Red (grapefruit juice w/grapefruit
infused vodka)
vodka - Shaker (Minnesota represent!)
gin - Gilby's, I know low rent, but it's just the kind of girl I am!
whisky - Jameson, preferably brought home from Ireland by moi
mix - tonic (for vodka tonics, naturally) or Skyy cosmo mix accent - lime wedge
weird fruit - pomegranate, makes really red drinks

The drink I'd like to invent someday - The Gemini. Something that starts out sweet and turns sour. I love a good contradiction. Cheers!

The blind leading the blind

I read on Salon.com today that Britney Spears is considering writing a children's book based on a the teachings of Kabbalah. A laudable goal, but probably not the best call for a girl, who by her own admission, cannot read Hebrew and quote:

"I read Kabbalah books and I meditate on them. They are all in Hebrew. I don't understand everything. But it's kind of OK that you don't"

What we have here ladies and gentlemen is a case of the Blonde leading the blind!