Terzo... e quattro e cinque...

I am *so* happy to finally have an Italian restaurant to return to again and again! Being raised on Italoamericano food of the Calabrese and Siciliano regions, I have yet to find a restaurant in the city that cooks like my mom without entering the cheesy, white and red checkered tablecloth territory.

The girls and I ordered a bottle of Vinho Verde, having recently had several bottles at a recent weekend wedding. Hiccup. A vegetarian among us, we ordered the hummus and pita, flatbread, broccolini, pesto tubetti and calzone. We were amazed at how incredible everything was in taste and presentation. I would definitely order any of those again, but if pushed, I would pick the flatbread, broccoli and tubetti as my favorites.

Dessert was rounded out with the strawberry and chocolate selections. Though not the most incredible desserts in the world, they were the perfect light flavored fit to follow our meal.

And let's not forget our waiter who was not only pleasant but fun! Its so rare to find a waitperson who enjoys their diners. We developed a lovely repetoire and I hope when you dine there you have that wonderful gentleman as well...

Ci vediamo a Terzo!!

The Starter Wife

premiers tonight on USA network. Starring Debra Messing, it's the story of a Hollywood wife thrown over for a younger model and her attempts to cope with her new circumstances. Those nice folks at USA have even provided us with a party planning kit. So call all your girls and make some pink martinis. This is going to be fun!

Anatomy of a train wreck

Mollygood.com today pointed me toward a time line of Lindsay Lohan's fall from grace. Seems those clever folks over at NY Daily News turned her recent troubles into a photo montage. You must see it to believe it.

Girl's been in rehab since Sunday, and the media is still hashing this thing out. How long does she have to be in there before the statute of limitations is up on writing about her? I vote for a moratorium starting now.

Memorial Day recap

Back from the long weekend? Nursing a hangover at your desk this morning? No time to catch up on the gossip world? Well Fashion Girl is here to help. The weekend recap:

- Hospitalizations (2) - Lindsay Lohan crashes car, gets hospitalized, passes out in a car, and gets sent back to rehab. Not to be outdone, Mischa Barton mixes antibiotics and alcohol and gets rushed to the hospital.

- Birthdays (2) - Shiloh Jolie-Pitt & Kingston Rossdale both turned 1 this weekend.

- Break ups (2) - Jessica Simpson & John Mayer fight it out in Mexico, Enrique Iglesias & Anna Kournikova call it quits after 5 years of "we don't need a commitment, we're already married"

- Britney Spears writes more wacky letters to her fans. Explanation for the head shaving? "I was lost". Declares she won't be "controlled" by people anymore (paging Janet Jackson...)

- Bad daughters (1) - Nicole Ritchie refusing to visit her mother in the hospital, prefers spending time with her therapist.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend!

Holiday weekend!

Happy Memorial Day everyone...Summer starts now!

Money quote of the day

When you're born you cry and everyone is happy,
When you die everyone cries and you're happy.

~ from the movie One Last Thing

Waitress

"I should never drink. I do stupid things when I drink, like sleep with my husband". Any movie that starts out like this is bound to be funny. Waitress is the bittersweet story of Jenna, a pie making wonder and diner waitress who is pregnant by her unwanted husband. Desperate to escape, but without family or funds, Jenna sits in her miserable life like a frog on a lilypad. Until she meets her new obstatrician, Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion). They can't keep their hands off one another, literally. Pregnancy hormones? Pure unadulterated lust? True love? Doesn't matter, Jenna has finally found something to make her happy.

The movie is an interesting study in how to save yourself from your own life. Jenna has wonderful friends and a too good to be true lover, but she still can't seem to free herself from the orbit of her evil husband. I was so proud when she says to the doctor that she doesn't want him to save her. She really is trying to find a way to save herself. And this being a rom-com, she does. The ending is abrupt, but not unhappy.

Adrienne Shelly, the director, was murdered in her home before the movie was released. It premiered at Sundance to wild acclaim and was picked up for general release. I don't want to diminish her contribution, this is a wonderful and very quirky film. I just wonder if it would have made it this far if she had been alive to promote it. Waitress was originally made as an indie film. I'm just sad Ms. Shelly wasn't here to see it's success. It's a great film.

Unlucky number 13

I received in my NetFlix envelope this week an advertisement for Ocean's 13. I'm excited to see the movie when it's released on June 8th. However, I noted something interesting. The stars listed are George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin and Al Pacino.

I'm asking myself what happened to Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Shaobo Qin and Elliott Gould? All four were in each of the previous movies and they don't even get credited on the marketing materials? What did you do to piss off George? Or Steven Soderbergh? I mean, Ellen Barkin got a credit for crying out loud.

Guys, sucks to be you!

Okay, but I was kidding...

At the movies last weekend with friends we were discussing all the remakes in the works in Hollywood right now. Jessica Simpson has cast herself as Private Benjamin in the not yet filmed Major Movie Star. Nicole Kidman stars in The Invasion based on Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Hell, The Transformers has even made it into Summer release.

So, there I was cracking wise that next up would be Underdog. You know the cute cartoon from childhood, "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!". Well they did it. I mean they really did it. Only this time it's live action and it stars dogs. The guy who green lighted this one is going down!

You just can't make this shit up

The Superficial had a post this morning about Svedska vodka sponsoring Lindsay Lohan's 21st birthday and paying her 7 figures to attend. Seriously! This is worse than giving Keith Urban a bottle of wine on the Qantas flight, worse than throwing crack in front of Whitney Houston. This girl's liver is going to explode! Shall I start the countdown clock now?

I guess LiLo's motto is live hard, die young, leave a good corpse.

Why Bill Maher is my hero

Queerty.com posted this YouTube of Bill Maher today on Jerry Falwell. Totally made my day. I hope you enjoy it too!

Best blog names

I've come across a lot of cleverly titled blogs in my surfing days. I thought it was time to share some of my favorites:

- I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Wino
- No more Mr. Nice Blog
- Pink is the New Blog
- The Liquid Muse
- There is No Blog
- Talking Budgie

I think the last one is just too adorably weird.

Well hello Dolly!

New York magazine had a great article recently where fashion editors critiqued fashion editor dolls. Yes, this is as bizarrely ironic as it sounds. Seems Madame Alexander has created a series of dolls based on real life fashion editors. The problem is that they have all either recently returned from the Kentucky Derby or are auditioning for the part of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. I like the fact that the editors are willing to admit they'd never put this much thought into an outfit, especially one worn at work.

It brings up a interesting question, if you were a doll, what would you look like? I'd be dressed as Holly Golightly with a pink martini in my hand. Nothing says , "I'm a lady" like a really big hat!

Grey's finale tonight

So the Grey's Anatomy season finale is tonight. We're all waiting with baited breath to see if Christina really marries Burke, if Izzy and George hook up again, and if Meredith can resuscitate her relationship with McDreamy. We're also looking at the departure of Dr. Addison Shephard-Montgomery as Private Practice has been picked up for next season.

My predictions for what's happening tonight:

- Christina chokes and runs out on her wedding, Burke leaves the show (ABC is looking for a way to bounce this loser after the gay slur controversy earlier this year)

- T.R. Knight bails on both Izzy and Callie. (He's also looking for a way off the show)

- Callie gets roaringly drunk at the reception for the wedding that wasn't and has another vengeance hook up with McSteamy. (I'd like to see someone tame that stallion)

- Meredith finally wakes up and realizes she should have chosen Finn the sweet veterinarian. She dumps McDreamy at the reception and goes out into the Seattle rain to find her true love.

- Izzy collapses with an infection brought on by her bone marrow donation to the adopted daughter who doesn't love her. Said daughter is by her side as Seattle Grace's finest work desperately to save her life.

- In a surprise move Alex heads back to the hospital after the non-wedding and proposes to (an already married) Eva.

- Miranda, the Nazi tells everyone to GET A LIFE!

Enjoy the show!

Hot Fuzz!

I was in Peet's at the corner of California and Fillmore enjoying an iced latte when I noticed two gorgeous cops stopping in for a coffee. I just love that our San Francisco police officers aren't satisfied with a Starbuck's or even Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (both on the same street). Not only were the officers good looking, they were well groomed, and had great posture. The looked like movie stars or some kind of hot recruiting poster. I'm just delighted that in San Francisco even our cops are metrosexuals!

Money quote of the day

I can handle reality in small doses, but as a lifestyle, it's much too confining.

~ Lily Tomlin

Driving while female

I was out running errands today in my cute City Carshare car when I realized something about driving. There's man driving, and there's woman driving. Man driving is goal oriented, least amount of distance to the destination, regimented driving. Woman driving is, "Hmmmm that looks familiar, am I looping?"

I think it's genetic because I've noticed that my husband can stand like a pointer and tell me at any time where we are and what direction any suburb or city is from our location. I can barely find the exit back into the City. However, I have an incredible memory and if I've been past something before I will know it. Could this be a vestigial difference left over from caveman days? Men pretending to be all knowledgeable and directed. Women reminding them that they're lost and they've been this way before. I wonder...

ROI: The It bag

I was shopping on Union Square yesterday and saw a young woman with a brand new Hermes Birkin bag. I'm talking right out of the box, not a scratch on it, mint condition. What caught my attention is that the outfit she had on was not the kind of thing you'd normally wear with a status bag. Seriously, denim capris and a Juicy Couture hoodie. Now, I know we're mixing high and low these days, but this just looked ridiculous. I thought, is she drunk? Did she mug someone to get that bag?

What her outfit said to me is, "I paid so much for this handbag I'm going to have to carry it with everything I own, even my pajamas." Ladies, if the only way to get enough wear out of your bag is to be cremated and stored in it, you paid too much.

Luella

Date night again and you're looking for cool place to have a nice dinner. Well Fashion Guy and I recently discovered a new restaurant you might like.

Luella, at Hyde & Green Streets, has taken over the space formerly owned by iFratelli. A husband and wife team have revamped the restaurant to give it a soothing vibe. Very Marina girl. Lots of moss green and dark woods. It's a bit like falling into a West Elm catalog. Warm and cozy, perfect for a dinner for two.

We started with a delicious asparagus soup. It had a creamy texture and was flavored chicken broth and dash of olive oil. The waitress was kind enough to split our order, and serve each of us individual portions. Next I had the seared duck in kumquat sauce with buckwheat polenta cakes which was lovely. Fashion Guy opted for the lamb tortelloni with radicchio and pine nuts, my second choice. Excellent flavor, not that muttony taste you sometimes get with lamb. We thought his pasta was a little overcooked though. Dessert was orange and sweet ricotta fritters which tasted like an orangey beignets with a drizzle of wild honey on top.

I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere. Service was gracious and efficient. They even have a kids night on Sundays for those of you with youngsters. Bon appetit!

Your next break up

Screw hoovering the Haagen Daz, forget buying self help books, what you really need after a big break up is a shooting vacation. That's right you and your girls can go to the Teton Ridge Ranch and work out that anger with a shotgun. A shooting vacation? Why didn't I think of that? This could be the wave of the future in Girlfriend Getaways.

Yippee kai yai yay!

No fat chicks - again

Kate Moss has debuted her new line for Top Shop at Barney's New York this week. Exciting news right? Fab, fashionable clothes at bargain prices? Well, there's a catch. Kate apparently doesn't like big girls. Her designs will only come in sizes 0 - 6. That's American size 0 - 6. I'm kind of wondering who is going to wear this stuff, then I remember that Manhattan is crawling with under-nourished fashion models. As for the rest of us, I guess we're just out of luck.

Don't let it get you down though. As fashion stylist Philip Bloch says:

Plush ladies, just so you know, most men prefer a little junk in the trunk and some think curvyliciousness is phat, sexy and real.

No wonder Salma Hayek loves this man!

It's time for bagel segregation

I had a blueberry bagel and coffee for breakfast this morning. Normally a delightful combination. Not today though. My bagel had been integrated with the savory bagels. Three quarters of the way through it I tasted bitter garlic flavor. They were touching! Now this this a personal pet peeve of mine. Bagels are like ice cubes, they pick up the smells and tastes around them. By putting the fruit bagels with the savory bagels you've screwed up my entire day. So no more poppyseed with the cinnamon raisin, and definitely no more garlic near the blueberry. Do you hear me Whole Foods?

Newsflash: Black is the new black

I've been noticing recently in photographs and on red carpets that black is back. It started with Reese Witherspoon's post break up all black outfits. It was adopted by Nicole Richie who channeled her in a black shortall outfit. Now it's back on the red carpet in spades.

At last night's Costume Institute Gala Lindsay Lohan was rocking the see through black dress, Naomi Watts and Salma Hayek both waddled around in the Mommy To Be black dress, Mary Kate Olsen and Naomi Campbell both wore black feathered dresses, and Christina Ricci even dyed her hair jet black. Of course this could have been on the invitation, I mean Anna Wintour herself was sporting all black. A theme perhaps?

As a San Francisco girl I don't feel properly dressed unless at least 30% of what I'm wearing is black. So hail to all who have embraced my favorite (and most slimming) color. Black welcome back!

Bridal bonanza

Genius designer Isaac Mizrahi is introducing an affordable bridal line for Target. I've seen two of the wedding dresses online, and it looks like it's following in the cheap chic steps of his other Target offerings. With no item more than $160, you can outfit your entire bridal party without breaking the bank.

I too was a bit taken aback by the idea of purchasing such an important gown at Target. However, I am a huge advocate of the affordable wedding dress. I just don't understand why a woman would pay $3,000 for a dress that everyone is going to step on, spill on and generally destroy. Besides, it's not like you're going to wear it again. Mine has been hermetically sealed since the big day in a dry cleaning box with a torso mold that has a better rack than I do. Talk about humiliating!

I could definitely see me wearing one of these to retie the knot. The sheath dress is gorgeous and classic. Just add a tiara and viola! I'm a princess bride.

Celebrity as brand

I was watching Entourage the other night and saw a hilarious episode where Vince Chase searches for a new agent. In every agency he visits they throw up the same presentation. Two major corporate logos framing a picture of Vince. They're telling him they can make him a "brand".

Well celebs have taken this pitch to heart. In the past few months we've seen the launch of Kate Moss' collection at Top Shop, Madonna for H&M, Jovovitch/Hawk for Mango, and soon Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker (set for 6/7 release). I'm hearing that even Brit pop star/uber-waif Lily Allen is working on a collection. Who's next Ashlee Simpson?

Now I understand the female obsession with fashion. It must be exciting to have a room full of executives tell you that bringing your style to the world will make it a better place. But let's be honest here. These people aren't designers. At best they are stylists. They know how to put an outfit together and that has value (ask Rachel Zoe), but let's call a spade a spade here. I want to see Bitten styled by SJP, not Bitten designed by SJP.

Charmed to meet you

I was leafing through my New Yorker over coffee this morning when I came upon a small, but very interesting ad. It was for a company called So-charmed.com. A quick hop over to site turned me on to some of the coolest accessories I've ever seen.

Jodi Bloom, the designer, has a brilliant, cheeky sense of humor. She divides her wares into categories: poets, princesses, thieves, pirates, rockstars, debutantes and innocents. She also cleverly names her creations. Some of my favorites: "Granny's got a gun", "I'll Get You My Pretty", and "Here kitty, kitty". She even admits to be inspired by Jeffrey Sebelia from last season's Project Runway. This is a soul sister if I've ever seen one.

Best part, she does custom work. I'm thinking I may need order one for myself, Breakfast at Tiffanys, perhaps?

Best damn dinner in San Francisco

It's been several years since my last dinner at Delfina. I couldn't be bothered to make my reservations 2 months in advance for this eternally packed Mission hotspot. Well tonight I relented, and am I glad I did.

My starter was the chilled delta asparagus with prosecco zabaglione. Four perfectly steamed asparagus in a creamy, slightly lemony sauce that was simply delicious. My entree was spaghetti with plum tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and pepperocini. It had just the slightest spicy kick, like the chef had splashed chili oil in the sauce. I dove to the bottom of my bowl.

Fashion Guy's dinner was even better. After a lovely Insalata del Campo (bitter greens, pancetta and walnuts), he had the most succulent rabbit I have ever tasted. It was savory in an almost indescribable way. All I can say is it was the best gravy I've ever tasted. It came with a side of creamy polenta which complimented the meat perfectly.

Add in a bottle of fine Italian barolo and you have the recipe for an unforgettable dining experience. I even discovered a covered patio out back. I'm eating out there when I return. Needless to say, I made my next reservation before we left the restaurant.

Bradley what have you done?

Word came down on all the gossip sites yesterday that Jennifer Esposito has filed for divorce from Bradley Cooper after a mere 4 months of marriage. Not that unusual in Hollywood, but...she's asking for spousal support, denying him the same, and wants her lawyers fees paid. This leaves me wondering what exactly did Bradley do? Have an affair? Traipse around the house in her clothes? Throw her dog off a cliff? I mean, Britney Spears hung in longer than this and she married a total loser. More to come on this story I think.

Bubbles!

I was walking into work this morning when a bright shiny bubble crossed my path. I slowed my pace to watch it float on and in to the street. Where did it come from I wondered? This perfect little sphere. Looking around I saw a homeless man. He was tall and looked a bit like Santa Clause in a flannel shirt. He was holding a plastic wand to his mouth and blowing bubbles. It was one of those amazing moments. This one small act filled my day with joy, no more worrying about the commute, being late, what I had to do at work...just a big secret smile.

Worst day ever

If you've had a day like mine, you could use a little cheering up. Well take a gander over at The Daily Puppy. They are just the most adorable things you've ever seen. And they say Shiloh Jolie-Pitt is cute, she doesn't hold a candle to Shiloh the baby beagle. Awww...

I'm such a girl!