Whimsy by Daryl Banks!

Happy Monday and hope you all had a magical Christmas!

Perhaps a bit risque, but I adore this series, "Crinoline Flowers" by Canadian-based fashion photographer Daryl Banks.

These unique photographs appear as if these dancers have been transformed into poofy flowers don't you think?

To see more of Daryl Banks photography, visit his website here.

all images: Daryl Banks

A Sourdough Stocking?

Yep. That's right. Little did I know that the famous Boudin Bakery in San Francisco made seasonal sourdough bread shaped like stockings, snowmen and Christmas trees! 50 years living here and I never knew that!

wrapped up stocking bread

Thanks to my friend Marianne, who spoiled me rotten with holiday gifts. We had our annual holiday lunch the other day, and with no alcoholic beverages present, we managed to laugh ourselves silly.

I generally don't like to brag talk about the gifts I receive, but these were too fun to pass up. AND, you may get some ideas for holiday gifts.

Love the fuzzy scarf that pins to any length, and the fingerless gloves with white faux fur. Perfect for this cold season and so festive!

I think Marianne was spying on my wish list on "Pinterest" and spotted this handsome diffuser by Paddywax called "Library." They have a variety of scents paying homage to literary greats including Poe, Whitman, Thoreau, Austen & Dickens. It smells wonderful and the packaging is great, isn't it?

I adore this book, Taschen's Paris. Taschen always has the most fabulous books, and this one is a beauty! Hardcover with amazing photos and descriptions of Dr. Angelika Taschen’s personal Parisian favorites – hotels, boutiques, restaurants, bars, cafés, and more. Available here. {you must get this}

You may be asking, what is this? A faux fur cat tail? Yep. Well, according to Marianne, "All the girls in Laguna Beach wear them."

Well, gotta stay in vogue with those Southern California gals, so yours truly now has a cat tail hanging from her bag!

So, there you have it. My fun gifts from the delightful Marianne (who wouldn't let me take a photo of her...)

I'm eating my yummy sourdough stocking now...remembering just why I love San Francisco...you may want to order one of these as a gift. Boudin delivers. These are super good....

Happy Weekend Everyone!

I've Been Minxed!

I'm talking about the latest nail sticker/varnish thing that has become a bit of a trend with celebrities. I hadn't heard about it until I saw a photo on Pinterest and then this photo above of this chic young lady taken by Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil.

I got a little obsessed so I visited the Minx Nails site and located a wonderful technician, Chrissy, to professionally apply them.

Chrissy applying my "Minx"

"Minx" is a flexible film, applied with heat and pressure, and does not require any drying time. The foil is applied on the nails like a wrap and stuck on it with the help of heat. Very clever.

The Minx "foil" is available in metallic, patterns and graphics.

I opted for the zany silver toes. Looks kind of like foil. Funny thing, it's bitter cold out, so only I see my feet! I can't believe I'm sharing my feet with you! {Really, it looks better in person than these photos...really}

On average, Minx lasts from 7 to 14 days on the fingers and up to 4 weeks on the toes. That's pretty nifty...

So, thus was my day at Valentino's salon in Burlingame. Don't even let me tell you about the shellac fingernails I got. Maybe next time!

If you want to locate a salon that does Minx nails, visit their website here. It's a fun little pick-me-up, don't you think?

and...it's International everyone!

My Little Gifts to Myself

Have you ever just decided to treat yourself to your own holiday, staying within a certain budget? Or maybe not staying within a certain budget? And truthfully, isn't it fun to shop for yourself anyway?

As I mentioned recently, I've been a little under the weather, so not my usual running around like a crazy person during the holiday season. Although I did take a moment to visit one of my favorite shops, which I'll tell you about this week.

In any event, I needed a little "pick me up," and I was able to do it right from the comfort of home.

Here are some of the gifts I bought myself and stayed under $250 for all. AND, it gave me immediate gratification, which is always nice when you're under the weather.

1. Monkey Bar Flannel Pajamas - I love the circus. I love pink, and I love pajamas. Who could resist these flannel monkey pj's by Nick & Nora for Target. $24.99

2. I am not comfortable in high heels, but want to be taller. I want my feet to be warm and toasty. These waterproof, faux fur-lined 2.5" heel boots are the most comfortable I've ever worn, and they make me tall. Love them. Cougar Moula, Zappos. $124

3. Lately I've been really into Victorian jewelry, so I was thrilled to pick up a copy of this out of print book, Victorian Jewelry: Unexplored Treasures at Amazon. $18.15

4. How dare Laura Mercier discontinue my favorite creamy blush? The one that leaves a "dewy" finish unlike powder blushes. The one that lasts for two years. Well, thanks to Amazon, I found the discontinued color. Not cheap, but I have it now and it lasts forever. "Illuminating Stick, Golden Rose Glow." $29.99

5. I saw this jewel tape on line. It's designed by Paris-based jeweler Marie-Héléne de Taillac, whose jewelry is unbelievable and shop is exquisite. Of course I don't know what I'll use it for, but I had to have it! nonesuchthings.com £7.50

6. I can never have enough candles, so I was thrilled to find these decorative ceramic soy candles online. Beautiful cracked containers that are useful after the candles burn. In every scent imaginable and the prices are great. Swan Creek Candle Company $10-12

7. Pretty, pretty bath salts with a picture of my favorite place, The Cliff House in San Francisco. Bluebird Bath Salts. $5

Tell me, have you treated yourself to any holiday gifts?

Yes or No?

Thanksgiving cupcakes...

Marshmallow Yam, Lime Jell-O, Pumpkin Pie, and... Turkey Gravy Cranberry Cupcakes from Yummy Cupcakes...

What They Don't Tell You About Winning...

You may have already heard that the San Francisco Giants won their first ever World Series. Yes, BIG celebrations here in the City by the Bay!

But no one could have prepared me for the "secret society" of swag that goes along with being a winner. You may be thinking... t-shirts, jerseys, baseball caps, etc. Well, not exactly. Take a look at some super-special items available exclusively to us loyal fans and recipients of the World Series 2010 win...

Take for instance this Home Team Rocker and MVP Recliner. Gosh, what a tough choice this is. Interesting little "pick-me-up" for that mundane room...

Perhaps a Baseline San Francisco Giants "Classic" Sofa ... because we certainly wouldn't want to steer away from anything classy and traditional, would we?


Ah, the grand dame cutting board set. You never know when you're entertaining and need an expensive San Francisco Giants tray for that yummy brie and sourdough bread.

Oooh...what's this? Wow, it's a San Francisco Giants Jersey Bottle Holder. Little rubber wetsuit to fit over your beer belly bottle. This little baby is a bargain at $14.99.

Now here's a bed ensemble for $89.99. That's right. One comforter and two matching shams. I wonder how high the thread count is? Well, let's hope your house guests don't have a preference for down bedding.

We get our own custom Giants M & M's too? Now that's pretty cool.

What would the holidays be without collectible World Series Champion ornaments?

A World Series stocking for Santa?

Or a light up Giants All Star ornament? Why is he a snowman?

I really think the "creme de la creme" is one of these Scottish Christmas San Francisco Giants Inflatable Sleds, don't you? Imagine the fun. It functions as a water raft and snow sled. Very useful in the San Francisco climate...

And, one of my absolute favorite fan pieces is this door knocker. It sets you back a mere $49.99 and what a better way to share with the world that we are the San Francisco Champions of the World!

Happy Weekend! Happy Holidays!

all photos are from the Major League Shop. I am not kidding.

Yes or No?

{from here}

Wanted.

Now if this isn't a statement necklace, what is? Of course the lovely Sandra Bullock looks beautiful in just about anything.

Wonder where I could find one of these chunky numbers at about 1/3 the thickness? Not too dainty though. And would like to do it in one shot -- not have to think too hard to layer different pieces. If you know where to find one, holler!

Sweet Dreams...

Remember the fancy sleep mask worn by Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's?"

Designed as a replica from the movie, Mary Green has created this eye mask from pure silk, softly padded and edged with gold trim. Decorated with a quirky eye design, it has glitter speckled eyelids and jewel-like eyes. So cute!

I could use some "Holly Golightly-style" beauty rest for sure. If you need some too, you can purchase these adorable sleep masks here.

Sweet Dreams!

image credits; 1, 2, 3.

The Goats are Here!

Just like a holiday, I look forward to our once or twice a year visit of goats. That's right...goats in the City.

The folks at Goats R Us provide a truly natural weeding service on overgrown lots citywide. Numerous goats are transported from neighborhood-to-neighborhood in San Francisco to eat unwanted plants. There is another company, City Grazing that is part of this environmental movement as well.

Vito and I took a little walk to see the goats. Do you know how funny it is to see a bunch of goats on a neighborhood block in the City? They are fenced in, so it was a little difficult to get close-ups.

Urban farming at its finest.

Aren't they cute?