San FranCelia

It’s officially Oscar season, and while I don’t usually enter pools or contests surrounding this illustrious period, I’ve found some great contests through my friend Jamie that are fun and easy.  Why not win something for time online that you know you’d have normally spent messing around on StumbleUpon?

Factery Labs, which is a cool site that delivers ‘just the facts’ of any given news story is giving away $25 iTunes gift cards daily all next week, and all you have to do is provide them with your juiciest Oscar fact in answer to the daily question on their Facebook or Twitter page (half of you probably know more than you think – you know how the Oscars go…. Sometimes it feels like the whole year is awards season with us talking about who wore what well into the next season.  Its great.  Sick a little bit, but GREAT!).  Just be sure to use #Oscars and #FacteryLabs if you’re on Twitter.  Super simple – and again, why not enter a contest via Facebook or Twitter instead of stalking that guy you knew in middle school who just started dating that new girl and now you know ALL about their budding relationship even though you haven’t talked to him in 10 years (yes, we all do it, but a contest is way more productive and fun, right?!).

Another site giving into our Oscar lust is Square Eyes, which gives great articles and introspection on shows that we’re watching.  Their Starry Eyes Oscar prediction contest starting on March 2^nd gives you a chance to win 6 months worth of Netflix.  I know I always have an opinion, so why not get something free out of it?  Just be sure to visit their site on the 2^nd to get all the details.

These two contests seemed fun and easy, and are a great way to bring the excitement of Oscar season into your daily life.  Plus winning free stuff is always awesome.  Good luck!

Peace and love Xo

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Fall, one of my favorite times of year in San Francisco!  I love the way the City smells when it’s turkey-time and feeling that particular crispness that grips the air.  The chill soon turns into the catalyst for pretending we’re in New England and busting out huge scarves and cute boots.   It’s divine.  It also seems that people are in their bustling winter spirits, giving a sense of purpose to everything done.  San Franciscans take their fall seriously, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.  Some of my favorite activities are even better when the leaves start falling.

To be outdoors but also keep you from freezing, take a trek and go boutiquing in Pacific Heights.  The hills are intensely steep, making the cold bearable.  It’s the only time of year that these hills don’t make you sweat uncontrollably when hiked.  This is such a fun activity this time of year as all of the holiday essentials are out and affordable in small doses.  Visit ‘Heidi Says’ or ‘Nest’ on Fillmore for some great holiday ideas – expensive, of course (being in Pacific Heights and all), but cute.

For a cozy meal in an eclectic atmosphere, check out The Café at Café du Nord.  Next door to the affiliate music venue on Market, they have great sandwiches and gigantic cups of coffee.  Delish!  The best part is if you are catching a show next door, you can finally grab a bite to eat for a reasonable price.  If you aren’t catching a show, it’s a great location for a Mission/Castro shopping break, as well as the obligatory people watching – my favorite.

Since being indoors is something to cherish during these months, I like to hold off during the summer and visit museums and art exhibitions now.  Next weekend, the Second Annual Erotic Art Exhibition comes to the California Modern Art Gallery, and is only $15.  What a fun way to spend a fall day!  I went to the Sex Museum in Paris once, and it was incredible.  The show will definitely keep the blood pumping, to say the least.

I can’t wait to experience more of the City as we delve into winter.   It’s the perfect time to explore and see what hidden treasures are at our fingertips.  While I love summer in San Francisco, the cold is starting to warm on me.

Peace and love Xo

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Fun week in the Bay, as usual.  I have this incredible story about an amazing new boutique I found that every female in this city would love!  Think the dress section at Ambiance with even better customer service and better prices – and I love Ambiance, so that’s telling you something.  I was grabbing coffee with my friend Robyn at Martha’s Brothers (consequently, they make one of the best lattes in the city and are local so go visit – you won’t be sorry) and we happened to notice some clothes on mannequins on the sidewalk around the corner – I got to this coffee shop every weekend, and I had never seen this place until that day!  As we kept glancing over, we noticed that everything out was really cute.  So, leaving my car with 10 minutes left on the meter (yeah, real smart), we proceeded to the store for about 2 hours. 

Kisha Studio is on 3^rd Ave. in between Clement and California St. and opened last April.  They have the best service and the cutest, most fashionable selection I have seen in quite awhile.  You walk in and a sense of calm washes over you.  The woman, Lin, who helped me and is a co-owner, was amazing.  She pulled styles she saw for me in my size (which she could just tell – so cool!  It’s like that “Pretty Woman” moment where the lady at Saks just knows Julia Roberts is a size 6).  I literally tried on almost every dress in the store – they were all that beautiful and flattering.  Each is a Kisha Studios original or from different local and international designers, so you know no one will have the same dress, which in such a small city, might actually happen.  Lin helps you dress so that you can see the full effect, and I could just walk all around the studio looking at different mirror angles.  You get the feeling of being in your friend’s totally out of control awesome closet, it’s that comfortable and fun. 

 I found three dresses that I liked, but one wasn’t in my size, and you know what Lin offered?  To order the dress from the designer for me to try on, and even if I didn’t like it, it was no problem – I didn’t need to worry about paying for anything involved in getting the dress over to her studio – they would simply keep it in the studio for someone else!  I got on their mailing list to receive their info and to hear when the dress came (as a side note, I signed up for the list voluntarily – she didn’t harass me about it once.  When the sales people at different stores try to get me on their lists repeatedly, I almost don’t do it just to be obstinate.  It’s like, what are they?  Life sized telemarketers?!  Not cool.)  Anyways, I left there with 2 dresses that made me feel gorgeous (one I wore to the casino night gala)!  I also left with a parking ticket – remember the 10 minutes for 2 hours?  Lin felt so bad that she gave me 5% off my entire purchase and gave me a fresh water pearl starfish necklace at no cost.  I couldn’t believe it!  I had bought one dress at full price and the other for $35 on sale, and I still got this level of service! 

 This spot is not pretentious or rude in any way, and gives you exactly the feeling you love when going shopping.  I would highly recommend every woman try this spot first when looking for a dressy dress, a cute dress, a casual dress, a nice coat, and even a pretty top.  You will not be disappointed.  I seriously gushed to, like, 10 people that same day, and I usually don’t do that about stores.  Check it out, and have fun!  This place is a find.

I’ll post some pictures of the dresses soon, so keep checking back!

Peace and love XO

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