The Enchanted Forest, Muir Woods

I always new we had Muir Woods full of Redwood trees just 11 miles passed the Golden Gate Bridge but had no idea how beautiful it was! Me and my love wanted to get out of the city to celebrate our one year. We both love nature and hiking so Muir Woods was the obvious choice. 

Once we got there we wanted to get off the paved trails and go deeper into the woods away from all the tourists. We started on Hillside Trail that was higher than the Main Trail with a nice view of everything. We then ended up on Ocean View Trail with soooo many steps! Our hearts were pounding, we were sweating but we finally made it to the top. At the top is was hot like a desert because there was no shade like down among the redwoods. We were expecting to see a beautiful view of the ocean but all we saw were trees after trees. As we were leaving I just happened to look another direction and there was the ocean! Barely visible but there it was there! As we were going down we saw that the trail we went up was actually called "Lost Trail". Ha! That name made more sense! 

When we got to the bottom we saw the perfect spot to have lunch. There was a creek, trees fallen with moss and nobody in sight. It was the best location ever! My love had the spot for his log cabin chosen and I had the perfect place for my chair to relax and enjoy the beauty of the creek and redwoods. We didn't want to leave but sadly we had too. 

We made our way back even though we didn't want to go back to the concrete jungle.  The day was so peaceful, calm, and we were happy. If you live in the Bay area or ever come to visit, Muir Woods is a must see! 

 We were very lucky to have beautiful weather since it's usually cold and foggy. Mother Nature knew it was our 1 year ;) 

 He's so tiny compared to the Redwoods!

 We saw a Spotted Owl during the day! He wouldn't fly away and just sat on the branch. What does that mean??

 This trail made us sweat, take breaks, climb stairs but it was all so worth it!

 You see the ocean out in the distance? We almost missed it!

 Our enchanted forest.

 Also, the perfect lunch spot. Where did you have lunch??

Beautiful day!!

Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival

Every year Ghirardelli has a chocolate festival that I always end up missing. I love love love chocolate and this year I was not missing it! As I was crossing the street to the festival I could already smell the delicious chocolate and fresh waffle cones with ice cream. Of course I had to get one! I got a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream in a chocolate dipped waffle cone. Oh my goodness, it was heaven! As I walked around with my ice cream I saw many tables with samples you could try. It was all just a tease because you had to purchase tickets to try all the savory samples. There was fudge, mini sundae samples, chocolate dipped cookies, cupcakes, chocolate shakes and so much more.There were other tasty foods if for some crazy reason you didn't want to have chocolate. Maybe next year I'll buy a ticket to try all the chocolate. How many types of fudge can there be?? I'll let you know next year ;)

 My heavenly ice cream

So much fudge!

 I wouldn't mind a bag as a gift! My favorite is dark chocolate with raspberry. What's yours?

I ate all of the ice cream and waffle cone and savored every bite but then I got thirsty. It was worth it!

A beautiful day to celebrate chocolate. 

San Francisco Opening of Symphony and Opera

Last Wednesday was the 100th season of the Symphony and it's opening night gala. Then on Friday was the 89th opening night of the Opera. This is like the red carpet of the Oscar's for San Francisco. Both gala's bring out the city's biggest socialites, former and current mayors, politicians and anybody else who is part of the exclusive socialite world of San Francisco.


There is the Symphony celebrating its 100th Anniversary. The celebration was held in a Stanlee Gatti designed tent and ended in the morning with dancing and cocktails. To make this celebration special the Symphony invited two soloists to join the performance: Itzhak Perlman and piano genius, Lang Lang.

So many beautiful gowns made it difficult to narrow down my favorites!

Sallie Hunting 

Gretchen Kimball 

Former Mayor Willie Brown and Sonya Molodetskaya

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Charlotte Schultz

Karen Caldwell

Ye - Hui Lu

Then there is the Opera's opening night gala, An Evening in the Forbidden City, came to life in the Opera House where 1,200 Opera Ball patrons and Bravo! members mingled in classy top hats and lavish gowns. Of course there was an opera too. It was Turandot which gave the red carpet its luxurious theme with traditional Chinese drummers, royal red fabric and glowing lanterns.

 Karen Caldwell

 Marissa Mayer

 Mary Poland and Linda Kemper 

 Paula Carano

 Sonya Molodetskaya

Susan Tamagni

I'm lucky to have a front row seat of what the ladies will be wearing because the designer I work for dresses many of the Chair's or former chairs for the opera and symphony. It's an exciting feeling to know that I saw their gowns start from a sketch and then see it go onto the red carpet. I get an inside peak into a world that not everybody knows about  ;)

Till the next gala!


All photos from drewaltizer and moanalanijeffrey.

Fashion's Night Out San Francisco 2011

On September 8th was the the 3rd annual Fashion's Night Out (FNO) in San Francisco. It was my first time attending and I had no idea what to expect! Over 40 stores across the city held their doors open to special extended hours hosting celebrity appearances, new fall collections, great discounts and so much more. A couple hours is definitely not enough for FNO. You need a whole night to enjoy every store and see all the events going on!  I went to Union Square and made my way to Macy's , Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

Blair Eadie of atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com with models she styled at Macy's. I love how she layered her lovely outfit with two different patterns and with gold chain necklaces. Her blog is one I will be following frequently!

Former Mayor Willie Brown looking sharp in his pinstripe suit! He was there to launch Macy's new Fashion Incubator program for 2012. I wish I was a designer! My favorite quote from his was, "Dress as if you are about to be displayed in an art gallery." He was my little celebrity sighting of the night. 

At Saks Fifth Avenue they had 3 bloggers style 2 mannequins each and people were able to vote on their favorite look. 

I love the sweater! Don't you?!

These were my favorite outfits. Both are very wearable in the city! I love wearing scarfs and both outfits include a version of it. 

Darrin George with pieces from his collaboration with Lauren Haut.

Since I know what to expect now of FNO I can't wait until next year. Maybe I'll be in SF or NYC?? Where will you be !?

Photo Resources:  

                             my camera

                             stylebistro.com 

                             7x7.com

                             zimbio.com

       

San Francisco Farmers Market

Every Sunday and Wednesday the city has a Farmers Market in the Civic Center with the City Hall as a beautiful backdrop.

I try to go on one of these two days because the prices are better than any grocery store in the city! I love the market because you'll find seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood, locally made honey, hot and fresh kettle popcorn, organic eggs, fresh cut flowers, and my favorite certified organic stands.

If I happen to get hungry there are plenty of food vendors to choose from. You can choose from delicious rotisserie chicken and potatoes (so tasty!), savory crepes, fluffy Belgian waffles, homemade tamales, wood-fired pizza and oh so much more! With food in hand you can sit at a table and listen to some music.

I have some favorite deals in the market that I want to share with you all.

• organic green onions for $1 a bunch 
• 20 brown, cage free organic eggs for $5
• 5 white onions for $1
• organic basil for $1
• a berry trio of organic raspberries, blueberries and strawberries for $7
• peaches for $2.99 a lb 
• beautiful flowers such as sunflowers for $3 a bunch and stargazer lilies for $3 a stem. 

I end up spending about $20 in fruits, vegetables and flowers and it all last me about 1.5 weeks! I would have to say my favorite things to buy is the fresh eggs and beautiful flowers. Both can be so expensive anywhere else but at the Farmers Market I get an awesome deal.

Coming to a Farmers Market is great because you support local farmers and food vendors. You know where your food is coming from and who is handling it. I know in smaller cities the markets are not as common but they should be and its so much healthier! For the market in the Civic Center , they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary on September 14th from 9 a.m - 4 p.m . I definitely plan on going and enjoying some music, food and of course do some shopping!

Till the next Farmers Market! Toodles!