Spa Time!

Last Friday, thanks to our Spa connoisseur, Ms. Coni, some of my co-workers and I got together for a "just-because" Spa Party at Pure Envy Spa in Hayes Valley. Every time we get together it is a fun time just to relax and digress from that week's work. I decided on getting a "Backcial" which consisted of both a Back Scrub + Massage. Spa parties are always fun because of the pampering, yummy food (we always have an exceeding amount of leftovers, so much that Coni joked "remember there are starving kids in Africa" at the end of the party), the bubbly and of course the gossiping. Whenever you get a group of woman together what do you expect? Haha.

Here are some pics of this Friday's events. Thanks again ladies for a fun time.

My plate of food, I kept going back for seconds and thirds.

Spa Food (homemade Deviled Eggs, homemade Crab dip, Chocolate/Coconut covered Strawberries, Hummus/Crackers, Lamb Naan + Chutney's, Gouda Cheese, 2 Sushi Platters, Mango Guacamole, Poached Wine Pears + Champagne/Wine)

Susy & Jocelyn showing off her manicure + belly (baby puppy)

Carol and myself

Pinks + Reds

Pastels

Assortment of Cupcakes

Chocolate covered cupcake (I picked this one just because it had a STAR!)

Happy with my cupcake

Purple + Black (we were color co-ordinating again without planning it =)

I told her, lets pose like Audrey Hepburn in the background!

Spring Shoes

Spring means only one thing for me and that is Sandal season. I'm excited to start shedding from my daily boot regime and bare my toes in this season's cutest sandals. I already have my eyes set on some sandals I would love to pair off with a nice floral dress or pastel shorts and a nice crisp blazer to top it off. Here are some of my picks for this coming season. I always keep in mind current trends, comfort, versatility of the shoe, and its long-time ware with my every day outfits for both work and the weekends when shopping for shoes. This is one of my new shopping tactics, so I don't add tooo many new shoes to my collection that I know I won't wear on the regular and end up getting pushed to the back of my closet.

Afterall, dressing is about you and what you know looks good on you and makes you happy. As I sit here typing this I currently am listening my Ipod on shuffle. Current song playing: "Banquet" by Bloc Party. Which reminded me of something I recently read on one of my favorite blogs:Fashiontoast, by the beautiful Rumi.

"My outlook has always been that people in the streets aren't dressing to please me, why should I take them into account when dressing myself? Playing with clothes is one of the most basic pleasures in life along with other stupid crap like peeling nail polish off in single sheets, crawling into a sun warmed car, and laughing about nothing and everything. If I were to die tomorrow I would be glad that I wore a slightly inappropriate coat and five inch heels to a deserted train station in the middle of the day."

This is exactly how I feel about fashion. You should always dress for yourself no matter if you get compliments or confused stares from those who wouldn't dare to wear such an outfit; either because they don't have the balls to and all they can do is critique you. At least that's how I feel. Because at the end of the day don't we all strive for individuality?

My Spring Shoe picks:

YSL Ankle-Wrap Platform Sandals

Compare to Pedro Garcia's "Paola" Heels- front view $395

Side View

I always had a thing about shoes that reminded me of Birkenstocks from back in my childhood days. I never owned a pair, but they were that era's Crocs per say. I just imagine these shoes to be some of the comfiest in your closet, plus they're made from suede.


Dolce & Gabbana Suede Wedges

Compare to Diane Von Furstenberg's "Zia" Heels- minus the wedge $280


Front View of DVF

DVF Heels In Navy Blue

I really like the thick/chunky straps on these heels. They work for my small feet and are good for comfort.


CHANEL's 5'O'Clog Mules

Compare to Jeffrey Campbell's "Charli" Platform Clogs $178

Front View

I really like these clogs. I'm not one to own a pair of clogs, but the cream color I picture would go perfect with a long skirt and a nice peasant top. A la Nicole Richie style.


Charles Anastase Platform Sandals from Spring 2009 Collection

Another Shot of Anastase's Sky-High Platforms


Compare to Jessica Simpson's "Dany" Platform knockoff Sandals in Tan $99.00

These platforms are only for the brave. I love the thickness of both the platform and heel, adds for better support. But again only those that don't mind the extra inches should practice with caution. I know I will be one of them. The extra inches won't hurt my petite frame =)

Food Week I

I wanted to try something new on my blog. I decided to do a posting of everything I've ate during the work week. Since I love food. Who doesn't? I wanted to share some of the things I love and munch on during the week. Let's see how long this lasts but they say you are, what you eat. So I'm excited to show you that.

Here is a snippet of some of the things I had this week:

MONDAY

Before going to my evening Portuguese class, I stopped by La Boulange on Union and got a Mocha with a side of Mango/Passion fruit Macaroon to go.

TUESDAY

I'm addicted to these candy's from the UK. Susy brought these to the office and I was hooked instantly. They have a chocolate filling coated by a hard lemon flavored shell. Sooo good, that I special requested some from our friend, Faiz, in London. I can't find them anywhere in the US.

WEDNESDAY

I LOVE this picture, it reminds me of all the NY Hot Dog Stand's on every corner. Now this is how you eat a Hot Dog in style

"Chicago Style Dog" from What's Up Dog?, I love the spiciness but I can't actually eat the chili's. They're too hot for me.

THURSDAY

In honor of "National Clam Chowder Day" I picked up a bowl of Boudin's Clam Chowder on a Sourdough Bread Bowl in Union Sq.

Delicious!

FRIDAY
[No Picture today] I opted for a Mini-Meal from McD's. I didn't want to have a large meal for lunch since we are having an office Spa Party after work. I need to save my appetite for later and am ready to pick on some crab dip/chocolate covered strawberries/deviled eggs/mango guacamole and I can't forget Champagne!

Definitely a great way to start my weekend! Cheers!

P.s. for the Spa Party I decided to make Mango Guacamole instead of regular Guacamole. I will post pictures from my recipe + Spa Party after the weekend. Stay dry out there peoples, snow storm advisories in the East Coast and rain is forecast here at home in SF!

Nails, Nails, Nails I do adore!

A new trend for me in 2010 has been my new found addiction to Nails Polishes. I love the likes of any color that will say: "POP" and complete my outfit when all I wear as of lately is blacks, grays and whites. Sad I know. Inside I'm asking myself: "Spring where are you???" I want you here already so I can wear my floral dresses and bare my toes in all the colors of the rainbow!

Well a girl can keep dreaming, until the first light of sunshine hits over San Francisco's usually gray skies and Topsy Turvy weather. Like today, where the possibility of rain is high and just yesterday I was taking off layers since the sun decided to make an appearance.

Here are some shots I found through Refinery 29's lovely blog of this past week's New York Fashion week @Bryant Park. Take a look at some of the colors models were wearing down the runway.

REDS are a staple no matter what season!

Bronze/Coppers I dig it!

Dark Plums. Yes, the alternative to Black.Kind of reminds me of Zoya's "Casey," which I love.

Nail Art/Lace Over Nudes.

Neutral Peachy/for an every day look.

My personal favorites right now are the high demand: Chanel's "Particuliere," that is sold out everywhere, that is unless you're trying to snag one off Ebay. I haven't been able to get my hands on this color yet, so I settled on a similar one: OPI's "Over the Taupe," which I like but found it to have a warmer undertones with brown-like colors on my skin tone instead of Chanel's gray and cool undertones.

Chanel's " Particuliere" vs. OPI's "Over the Taupe"


I also love OPI's Alice in Wonderland collection: Like "Absolutely Alice" and "Mad as a Hatter," both are beaming glittery colors that actually stay on!


"Absolutely Alice" screams A MAGIC BLUE SPELL!

"Mad as a Hatter" reminds me of Deborah Lippmann's "Happy Birthday" but for a fraction of the cost!

and I can't forget Zoya's "Casey," as I mentioned before. I love Zoya's line of polishes for its long-lasting colors and formaldehyde-free. I was introduced to Zoya by Susy. You should check them out, I highly recommend them from the usual OPI or Essie.

Currently I am wearing Zoya in "Stephanie," for an everyday casual look.

[Just Insert Zoya "Stephanie"Bottle here]

Soon I will be on a hunt for a really nice Coral color to sport with my new Spring Wardrobe. Coral-like colors remind me that the Birds are chirping outside and you can smell the flowers. Can't Wait!

Wine Poached Pears

Thursday was one of those nights after work where as soon as the clock hit 5:00pm, I just wanted to run home, kick my shoes off, soak them in a nice Epsom salt bath, and drink as much wine as my liver could hold. So that is exactly what I did. =)

In preparation of tomorrow: Friday! and my co-workers Spa Party, I shopped for groceries and decided to indulge in a new type of dessert. Instead of just drinking a nice glass of Merlot or Cauvernet Sauvignon like I had originally planned , I made Wine Poached Pears. It was something new for me, since I'm not usually "the cooking type" but after reading this recipe in one of the blogs I follow: www.cupcakesandcashmere.com, I was intrigued by the delicious idea. I love Emily's blog because she mixes food recipes, fashion, and jewelry that she makes and sells herself on Etsy. Though her pieces usually sell out in a second, I'm still hoping to get my hands on one of her necklaces one day in the near future.

Here is the recipe and ingredients for a simple fruit dessert when you want the bourgeois fancy part of you to come out and Woah! your friends =)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4-6 Peeled, Cored and Sliced Pears (recommend Bosc or Anjou)
• 1 1/2 cups of red wine (recommend Zinfandel, Shiraz or Merlot)
• 3/4 cups of granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice (can also add lemon zest if desired)
• 2 Teaspoons of Ground Cinnamon (can use a cinnamon stick as well)
• 2 Teaspoons of Vanilla
  

The Ingredients

Chopped Slices of Pears (I used both Anjou + Bosc)

2Teaspoons of Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice + Lemon Zest go in the pot

Adding 3/4 Cup of Granulated Sugar. After all ingredients are mixed in the pot bring to a boil

Once wine sauce has boiled, bring heat to a simmer and start adding pears to the boiled Wine Sauce

Sliced Pears floating in the Wine Sauce, heat brought to a nice simmer. Let the pears simmer in the wine sauce for at least 10 minutes on each side, until the pears are soft (enough to be poked by a fork without falling apart).

After pears have been in pot for 20 minutes remove from heat

Once pears are out, bring Wine Sauce back into a boil and let it reduce to half the size

Whalaaa! Pour remainder of Wine Sauce to Pears and you got your Final Product!

All I was missing was a side of Mascarpone to go with this sweet but not too-sweet enough for the tooth fairy to say ok, dessert.