Wine finds

I had dinner recently at a great Asian fusion restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska. The wine we had that night was absolutely delicious. In fact I got a little more than tipsy and closed the restaurant down. So when I returned home I did what any Holly GoLightly would do and looked it up. Turns out it can be had for a song here in San Francisco. It's called Yalumba, and it's a voignier from 2006. It costs $8.99 on sale, and is a perfect refreshing summer wine. Just chill and go.

Cheers!

We'll always have Paris

You could have just worn your Wonder Woman costume and been less consipicuous. Proof positive that Paris Hilton is dumber than a bag of hammers.

Burn Notice

I caught the series premier of Burn Notice on USA Network this evening and I have to say I'm intrigued. Now anyone who knows me knows that I'm a total sucker for a spy show. In this one Jefferey Donovan stars as Micheal Westen, a CIA "associate" who's been burned by the agency. It's kind of like being blacklisted in Hollywood. They crash your credit and erase your existence.

In Michael's case it drops him back in his hometown of Miami, exposes him to his crazy mother and psychotic ex Fiona (an IRA terrorist played with relish and a wonky accent by Gabrielle Anwar). There are also Sam, an ex agent and current drunk, and Lucy his sometimes employer and also an ex spy. It plays out kind of like a snarky MacGyver. I will definitely be checking it out again next Thursday. I mean how can you not love a show whose commercials feature "Get myself connected" by Stereo MCs?

Tag! You're it!

I was tagged this morning by Franki over at Life In a Venti Cup. I'm supposed to share 7 facts about myself that you might otherwise never know. I'm up for a challenge. Here goes...

Fact #1

I proposed to my husband. No I didn't give him a ring, but being a Fashion Girl I did give him a Movado watch. He made me sweat for about 5 minutes, but he did say yes.

Fact #2

I have the spooky ability to always order the best thing on the menu. Ask anyone who has dined with me.

Fact #3

No one knows my natural hair color. I changed it in my 20's and even I don't know what it is!

Fact #4

I have 2 tattoos, and no, I'm not going to tell you where. I'll just say I'm not Britney.

Fact #5

I have an obsession for photographing funny signs on vacation. My favorite was in St. Petersburg, Russia. It shows a car driving into a canal with a red circle and slash. I thought it was hilarious.

Fact #6

I'm adopted, but ironically I look just like my mother. No she's not my biological mother, but we're a really close match. Fortunately for me she's the most beautiful woman I know.

Fact #7

I'm wildly social, but clam up at large gatherings. For some reason if I have to talk to more than 3 people at a time I go completely blank.

My turn to tag. I'm going to choose James at Genius of Insanity, Kvatch at Blognonymous (he's on hiatus, but maybe this will get him back in the pond), BabsieD and Natalie at the Liquid Muse. Can't wait to hear what you all have to say!

The sign you don't want to see driving to your hotel

Land of the midnight sun

Sorry for being MIA for so many days. I've been celebrating the summer solstice in Alaska. It is a gorgeous place, unbelievable scenery. However, not the greatest connectivity. I naively thought "I'll take my computer and post from the road". Well no dice. The networks I was able to capture were up and down like yoyos. Fortunately the Alaskans don't seem all that phased about it.

I was attending the wedding of my little brother in Homer. It is a spot just about at the end of the world. Beautiful ceremony, and I've truly never seen him look happier. You know how there are some weddings that are just meant to be, well this was one of those. I'm delighted that I'm rested, relaxed and in possession of a lovely new sister-in-law. I promise new posts this week. Thanks for your patience!

Time for an intervention

Gwen Stefani is out on tour again this summer. And don't get me wrong, I love Gwen. She has produced some of the best party/dance tunes out there over the years. However, after producing albums with No Doubt, on her own, starting a clothing line and having a child I think girlfriend is a little tired. As is her Harajuku girl dance routine. The Chronicle reviewed her performance as a total snorefest. Can't say I'm surprised. You're over extended Gwen, and let's face it at 37 it's time to leave the pop lifestyle behind and concentrate on having more kids with your hottie husband Gavin Rossdale.

Gentlemen start your engines

The Vatican this week has issued the 10 Commandments of Driving. Seriously. His holiness Benedict the XVI and the Holy See are concerned about your road rage. They're also a little freaked out by the thought that you're having sex in your car. You can read the commandments for yourself over at CNN.

My question...where's the commandment telling you to put down that damned cell phone?!

The salad days

I had lunch al fresco today at Mixt Greens II. Located in Commercial Alley near Sacramento Street, this is the second act of Mixt Greens. The restaurant opened in April 2006. Using local produce, eco-standards, and a chef seasoned in Gramercy Tavern and Restaurant Gary Danko, they've produced a solid hit.

I was delighted to hear that they've already opened a second location. I was tempted by the newly added sandwiches on the menu. However, as it was a warm day and I was feeling the need for veggies, so I went for the berry/nutty salad. It was huge. Could easily have fed two people. The salad is an attractive combination of greens, strawberries, blackberries, goat cheese and candied walnuts in a balsamic vinagrette. Almost too pretty to eat. I seriously wanted to photograph it and post it on my website, sadly I didn't have a camera. Order an Arnold Palmer green tea lemonade and you have the perfect lunch for a sunny San Francisco day. All for under $12. You must try it!

What can Smart Water do for you?

Apparently it made Jennifer Aniston's cleavage swell. That and she looks like she's having an intellectual dinner in New York. That girl can really act! See for yourself...

Happy father's day!

to all you papas or soon-to-be papas out there. Fashion Girl is taking the day off to honor the old man. I hope you're all doing the same. He may not have given you birth, but he always gave you your allowance, for that alone you must give dad his props.

Happy father's day!

COCO500

It's date night again and I'm sure you're all looking for the perfect first date restaurant. Well I've found it. COCO500 at the corner of 4th Street and Brannan is the latest incarnation of a restaurant I knew fondly as Bizou. The owners have renovated the space into a lovely modern bistro. The tables are a bit tight. I almost knocked over the next tables drinks while trying to exit my own. Think Parisienne bistro, and you've got the idea.

We ate our dinner next to a first date couple. We studiously tried not to eavesdrop on their conversation, but it's hard to block out at such close range. There was the requisite, "So what do you do?" sort of thing. They seemed to be getting on well though, so hopefully it was a love connection. All the world loves a lover, right?

I know they fell in love with the fried green bean appetizer we ordered. Fashion Guy had the roasted chicken (and I do mean the whole chicken!) with pink lady apple stuffing. It was savory and a bit sweet (the apples), and it would have fed us both. I ordered the squash blossom pan bread. Think pizza only thinner. The cheese was oily, and there was a bit too much sea salt, but the squash blossoms made a gorgeous display. Besides I got to feel virtuous for ordering something veggie, a thing I rarely do. We had to skip dessert though as the combination of appetizers and entrees was enough to feed a small army. We actually packed up about half our meal and had a "do over" at lunch the next day. It all heats up great, so order your own entree and take the doggy bag.

The restaurant has a small bar where you can wait for your dining companions. Drinks are high end (read: $10 or more), but the non-alcoholic options ($4.50) are quite good. I had the jasmine limeade and would definitely order it again. In fact, I'm thinking I may try to recreate it in Fashion Girl test kitchen. :-)

Friday is do gooder day

If one woman could save the world just with the size of her heart alone it would be Lori Stewart. She recently started a grass roots campaign Toys for Troops to send beanie babies to Iraq. The toys are given out by U.S. soldiers to the Iraqi kids.

She's making the kids happy, she's making our troops happy, and she'll make you happy too. All you have to do is check out her website www.toys-for-troops.com. You can send beanies, soccer balls, suppliers or you can help her manage the effort.

Lori you're doing great, and you make us all proud!

Something tall and cool for summer

Allison Evanow over at the Liquid Muse has unveiled her "cocktail of the week" feature this week. Her first offering, the spa mojito sounds absolutely delicious. It will keep you cool as a cucumber in this unaccustomed June heat. Just what the doctor ordered for a hot summer day. I know I'll be trying one myself!

p.s. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter so you can try all of her future concoctions.

Weekend Get-away: NYC

If you dread the advent of a foggy summer, you'll appreciate the tales of a wonderful *warm* weekend spent in New York City. Here are the highlights:

Shopping: Tall Girl 26 W. 39th Street for comfort and work clothing for tall and long-limbed gals; Right next door shop at Mai-NYC for woven hand bags and silk and jacard covered shoes - my personal favorite were the 2 pairs of silk kicks I picked up; C.O. Bigelow Pharmacy 414 Avenue of the Americas not only has all sorts of fun beauty lines but they also have brown hair ties (a rare find in SF); While you enjoy the beauty shop, your guy can shop at Kuhlman a few blocks away at 484 Avenue of the Americas. This fashion forward shop has closed its Northern California doors, so be sure to make it a priority stop in NYC; A trip to New York is not complete without a stop at Shanghai Tang, 714 Madison Avenue. A Hong Kong luxury goods atelier, exquisite shopping for men and women on three floors - plan to spend at least an hour trying on clothing and chosing between hang bags, wallets and shoes. Men look for their newest Chinese knot button-down dress shirts for summer (located on the 3rd floor); If you're nostaglic for San Francisco stop by Rizzoli Bookstore at 31 West 57th Street. Not only will you find a wonderful selection of international-language periodicals but the third floor is stacked with the latest international-language CDs and Italian-language books. Nearby Bergdorf Goodman 754 Fifth Avenue stocks San Francisco based Agraria products on the lower level. My personal favorite is the newest scent, Palma, home fragrance. I am anticipating the release of Palma bath and body products.


Knosh: Want a scene? Make a reservation at Tao Restaurant, next to the Four Seasons Hotel at 42 E 58th St. Say "yes" to the duck appetizer, spring rolls and sea bass entree. Bypass the longbeans and XO sauce with shrimp. Though they claim to make the XO sauce on site, it was a big disappointment followed by the obviously frozen shrimp. Don't play California girls who know their fresh seafood! Definitely hit up Gilt at the Palace Hotel, 455 Madison Avenue. What to eat? Everything!! Let's see... the bread service, hit the butter rolls several times (I indulged for 2 servings), the tuna tartare and crab appetizers were fresh and delicious, along with the treat of split pea soup. The halibut, bratwurst, lambchops and ricotta ravioli were amazing. My favorite was our ice cream "cones" dessert. Only the three best flavors, mint, chocolate peanut butter and banana brownie served in chocolate cones on a chocolate tray. I was practically rolled back to the hotel. Buddha Bar on 17 Little West 12th St perhaps a little overdone by now, but still worth the visit for the DJ music alone. My lobster 3 ways entree was pretty good as well. Nostaglic for San Francisco? Head to the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle for Brunch or Lunch at Bouchon Bakery. Need I say more? Need some budget options? Le Petit Quotidien and Europe Cafe are plentiful throughout the City, offering light or indulging options for breakfast and lunch.


Sip: The options are endless but here are a few places I recently visited and enjoy. Ava Lounge at the Dream Hotel offers a half-panoramic view of midtown from its penthouse level location. A fun mix of modern and earthy decor. Stick with basic orders at the bar. While the barmaids are friendly they had difficulty filling a Campari with a twist order. Uva Restaurant 1486 2nd Ave has a wonderful Italian wine selection. Stop by for a glass or two and some appetizers. Sit outdoors and enjoy the weather or at the bar and enjoy the awesome music selection.


While no city quite compares to San Francisco (despite the fog) its always fun to romp around in someone else's playground, "How you doin'?"

Paradise found!

I've been dying for a these sunglasses ever since I saw them on Jennifer Aniston over Memorial Day weekend. I've since spotted them on a number of celebrities including Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani and even Angelina Jolie. Well, I finally found them. They are made by Tom Ford (of course!), and come in two different versions. Jennifer and Whitney. I predict they'll be the red hot accessory of the summer.

Surf's Up

Sony's new animated mockumentary about surfing penguins hit the multiplex this weekend. Starring Shia LaBeouf as a teenage penguin from Antartica who dreams of winning the world surfing championship it's a surprisingly funny movie. Zooey Deschanel plays his love interest, and Jeff Bridges of course is Big Z (read: Big Kahuna or in this case The Big Lebowski).

The lesson here is that friends are more important than trophies. In pure kid entertainment fashion they beat you over the head with it. However, Jon Heder does a delightful turn as Chicken Joe a stoner surfing chicken from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He bumbles around the jungle looking for Cody (LeBouf), and manages to become king of a pigmy penguin colony. It's pretty hilarious actually.

I'd recommend it for parents who are tired of the same old Disney drek. It has an adult sense of humor. Your kids may for once be more bored than you are!

Money quote of the day

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing

~ Helen Keller

Hire a driver

Since there's been a rash of celebrity car crashes and DUIs lately, we've all been saying it. Brandi could have saved herself from multiple wrongful death lawsuits. Lindsay Lohan wouldn't be in rehab right now if she'd let someone else drive. And Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie, well don't even get me started.

This got me thinking though, how much can you really trust your driver? Especially if you're a celebrity. Martha Stewart's driver was arrested Tuesday and we're still not sure why. Her take, "He was Egyptian!" I guess that's a crime now? I think I missed that memo. Oh, and Lindsay's driver hit the car of Tony Benett's daughter then had the guts to bawl her out. Plus there's always the chance they've made a side deal with X17 to serve your drunk/stoned/passed out ass up to the paparazzi on a silver platter.

What's a girl to do?

Ocean's Thirteen

is finally in theaters today. I've been reading about premieres from Cannes to LA to Vegas. The boys are looking gorgeous (sans Casey - what's up with that hair?), and Ellen Barkin is holding her own. I find myself wondering though, what the spouses talk about during the photo calls. Here's my version:

Angelina: I'm bored. Do I look bored? Because my publicist warned me not to look bored.

Luciana (Matt Damon's wife): Wow, would you look at all the paparazzi? Angie, how did you take that baby weight off so fast? You look fantastic!

Bridgid (Don Cheadle's wife): Why aren't they photographing me? They never photograph me.

Summer (Casey Affleck's wife): Hi, I'm Summer. Casey's wife, you know the guy with the fauxhawk.

Angelina: So?

Bridgid: Give the girl a smile Queen of the Damned. What is your problem?

Luciana: Girl's let's not get into anything. The photographers are watching...

Scott Caan: (Grabs Angie and plants a big sloppy kiss on her) Hey baby, how you doin?

Angelina: Ugh! Brad!!!

Paris is out

I usually make it a policy not to comment on gossip news that's been reported to death. However, this one I saw coming a mile away. I actually bet Fashion Guy that she'd be released after serving 2 days. I was off by a bit, but not much. SocialiteLife.com reported this morning that Paris Hilton has been "transferred" to house arrest. Seems she hasn't been eating or sleeping while in jail. Need I mention that she neither eats or sleeps when she's not in jail? My biggest worry if I were her counsel is that she'd start going through withdrawal while in there and everyone would be talking about it. Maybe that's why they sprung her.

TMZ reports that Paris hasn't been released, she will have to wear a bracelet and be monitored for the next 40 days. Wow, sounds rough.

Two words, no justice. I hope karma catches up with her in the form of that Zeta Graff lawsuit.

A lady who lunches

All those long years spent toiling in a cubicle I dreamt of sunny days spent shopping and lunching al fresco. I begged Fashion Guy to make me a trophy wife. I was just sure that it was my true calling.

Today for the first time I got to experience that type of life. We met for lunch at Armani Cafe. It was a crystal blue day, just perfect for lunch at an outdoor cafe. There is no posher option here in SF than Armani Cafe. It's a great people watching spot because everyone who walks by stares at you with a jealous look in their eye.

Our lunch was a delicious gemelli with tomatoes and chicken. They were kind enough to split it for us. I should have had a cocktail as they had many options. Lots of citrusy concoctions, a nod to Amalfi perhaps? Something to go back for I guess.

After a quick bite I spent the rest of my afternoon touring the shops on Union Square. I finished the day off with a Tom's cookie, and am now considering a nap. I highly recommend a life of leisure.

CDFA Awards

Now let's be honest, I don't care which designers won awards, all I care about is who looked good and who looked better.

Best dressed

Debra Messing - might be that she has a new show, but DM was looking gorgeous in a lowcut purple gown. Definitely your color!

Heidi Klum - working a sparkly disco inferno dress and still managing to look absolutely fabulous

Clare Danes - her dress looks like it was painted on. Only a waifish girl like Clare could pull off this look. Beautiful color on her too.

Best Hair

Elisha Cuthbert - polished and perfect with her gown.

Chloe Sevigne - I know, I'm shocked too, but those bangs look great on her.

And the evening wouldn't be right without a few fashion faux paux ~ Diane Von Furstenberg in a too young dress, Ashley Olsen in a black trenchcoat gown, and Anna (I'm going to fire my assistant) Wintour in...a garden party dress? She was either overbooked or her dress didn't make it back from the cleaners.

All in all a stellar evening. Thanks to the Pop Sugar girls for posting all the great photos!

You know it's a slow newsday

when the most exciting thing that happened is that US Weekly's Paris Hilton countdown clock changed over to Paris Hilton's lockdown clock. Yawn...

o Yikes!

So I was at the Union Street festival today. While hanging out in the sunshine and checking out all the local artists and crafts, I came upon a company called o Yikes! They make cool laptop bags and messenger packs. Very Timbuk2 meets the Jetsons. I loved that their messenger bag converts from a laptop case to a baby bag by simply switching the interior accessories. The company is out of Cupertino. The dream child of a husband and wife team who, like me, were lamenting the dearth of cool baby bags. If you have hipster friends who are about to be hipster parents you should definitely check them out.

Can they see me?!

Kvatch over at Blognonymous posted today on Google's new feature street views. Apparently our favorite search engine has been cruising the neighborhoods and posting their photos. And, not surprisingly the lawsuits have started. The Chronicle search found a person entering an adult bookstore, half nude sunbathers, and a man who appears to be breaking into a building in the photos posted online. I wonder if the photographer even stopped to alert the police.

I googled my street and voila, there was my house. It was so close up you could almost see in the windows. Yikes! I guess this means I'll be taking all my meals in full formal attire and will always use the good china. Can you say stalker website?

Paris Je t'aime

Is a collection of short films. Each takes place in a particular neighborhood in Paris and is produced by a different director. There is no overarching theme to them other than a love of Paris itself. The directors take long shots of the city making it feel like L.A. with it's urban sprawl. It is when they get up close that you feel the romance that is Paris. I recognized three neighborhoods immediately ~ the Madeleine, Rue de Faubourg, and of course, the Eiffel Tower. The directors though don't really go for the trite, touristy neighborhoods. They find interesting off track places that give you the feeling of being a Paris native.

The most delightful stories involve a Muslim girl, a pair of mimes who meet in prison, and a hair salon owner in a bizarre Busby Berkeleyesque dance number. There are also sad tales, the mother who loses a child, the wife divorcing her cheating spouse, and the lonely, single man. It's a mixed bag. Just about everyone has a cameo here: Juliette Binoche, Natalie Portman, Gina Rowland, Gerard Depardiu, Rufus Sewell, even Steve Buscemi. Definitely worth seeing.