Yearly Archives: 2010

When my mother passed on this book she warned me that it was quite gossipy. She was definitely spot on. The true story of Idina Sackville runs the gamut from scandalous Edwardian British high society to a group of bed-hopping aristocrats camped out in African mansions. Everyone from Karen Blixen to the Queen is name…

As we ease into the foggy, drizzly fall in San Francisco, this textile exhibit at the de Young seems like a perfect way to brighten up a weekend morning. If the weather is really dark and cold – it would be a great match with a visit to the Conservatory of Flowers too. I love…

YUM. This is my new favorite salad. I only found out later that the combination is a related to a classic Persian dish. I used packaged beets instead of roasting them myself, makes it so much easier. The raw garlic gives the salad a great zest and the ingredients are super healthy. Beet & Pomegranate…

A wave of friends are having adorable girl babies right before the holidays! The only thing cuter than baby clothes has to be holiday baby clothes. I picked up a classic red velvet romper with pink rosettes from Janie and Jack for Yvonne’s shower. It’s on sale just in time for the season, as is…

This shower was inspired by one of my favorite hostesses! Kate, who threw a bridal shower luncheon for me featuring a sampler of cold salads. (too bad I didn’t have my cute husband in a bow tie on hand to play butler as she did!) Yvonne is an engineer, so we went with a math…

Artecnica makes these lovely cork veneer envelopes out of recycled billboard vinyl. I fell in love with the $30 medium envelope at SFMOMA last weekend. Not sure how durable the case would be – but it would look so, so pretty as a clutch for a fall cocktail party. Possible birthday present idea!

What an exciting weekend! It started Friday night with tickets to see Madama Butterfly at the opera. Dinner of shawarmas at a little deli near City Hall, currently lit up orange in support of the Giants! Great show. I loved the staging of this Madama Butterfly production which included a beautiful rotating stage with a…

I can’t believe it’s already been a year since my sister’s fabulous fiesta wedding. Everything about this event was home-grown: from the gocco invitations featuring picado flag designs to the flowers with garden roses, dahlias, chili peppers and ferns. What a beautiful day, with a hundred people gathered around one long table under a row…

I change perfume every season…why not also change stationery? Light dove gray with a curly name engraved for spring and summer. Stunning red with a monogram and tissue liner new for fall and winter.

This beautiful, large platter features a light gray map of the street of San Francisco. It’s exactly right in person – 14 inches across, flat with a slight lip on the edge. Perfect for a display of fancy cheeses with grapes or a flourless chocolate torte. And there are little plates to match. It’s my…