Style Bust
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Chronicle Books Back To School Warehouse Sale
Chronicle Books is having an amazing Back To School Warehouse Sale. They will have HUNDREDS of titles for everyone, but a few extra snags for parents and children — at up to 65% off! Stock up on back to school items, gifts for yourself and friends. Choose from cookbooks, children’s books, lifestyle + home, arts + crafts, art + design, photography, travel, pop culture, and music titles. Plus, journals, stationery, and much more!
When:
Wednesday, 8/22 from 9:00 am-7:00 pm
Thursday, 8/23 from 9:00 am-7:00 pm
Friday, 8/24 from 9:00 am-7:00 pm
Where:
Chronicle Books Corporate Headquarters
680 2nd St., b/t Brannan Street & Townsend Street
Eating In Vancouver
A city much like our San Francisco. Sure, it is a bit cleaner and spacious with less of nightlife than we are used to here in the city, but it sure is a melting pot of tourists, locals, and chefs who are very passionate about food. The people in Vancouver, just like in our magnificent city know just how to eat and drink, and just like us they hate to see a first time tourist like me, wander off into the menus of a potentially disappointing tourist trap. They yearn to share their secret places with us. This was made very clear to me on my food trip there, and this is why I love Vancouver, British Columbia.
Like any time that I can get out of the city and go vacation for a few days my main goal is to understand the life style and culture of my destination through it’s food. This is precisely why I set out to Vancouver with my cousin last month. Vancouver is a city known for its luscious production of local products, culinary adventures, and nearby wineries. Only having three days there, we set out on our mission to try everything we could fit in. Just like anytime I travel, I refrain from desperately searching the Internet for places to eat, for I tend to be somewhat on the skeptical side of these sites. I have always found it much more valuable and to my advantage to just go straight to the source by asking the locals, and trust me, Vancouver welcomed us with open arms. Never have I been to a place where I got to meet so many chefs in such little time, and in which I become overwhelmed with endless amounts of coasters, napkins, and business cards directing me to all of the places locals told me “I just had to try before leaving!” Of course, being there only for three days, I had to make some serious choices. So here I am! Ready to share my Vancouver foodie secrets with you in a Style Bust miniseries! Each article will feature a different venue.
Cactus Club Café
Run by first Canadian Iron Chef Rob Feenie, Cactus Club Café is the NOPA of down town Vancouver. While its architecture and dishes are both modern and elegant, its atmosphere is very inviting as the restaurant’s atmosphere is casual, fun, and loud. It is a place where industry people go for a bite and a few drinks. Being that this was a block away from my hotel it was our first stop upon arrival. I asked the bartender to order my cousin and I two of Feenie’s signature dishes that we enjoyed with two glasses of wine from local wineries. Boy was I utterly in awe with such a tasty welcome!
The Beef Carpaccio
Tenderloin with a thin peppercorn curst, a hint of grainy organic Dijon mustard, pickled shallots, fresh Parmesan all over homemade crostini, topped of with deep fried capers!
The Ravioli Prawn Trio
Cooked to perfection al dente style, this dish was covered lightly in a rich and savory butternut squash with local sautéed jumbo prawns. It was to die for! This dish was just the right combination of sweet and salty with a bold and pronounced richness, it is no wonder they only serve three of them per order.
Prospect Winery, British Columbia Sauvignon Blanc 2010- this delicate wine was dry and refreshing with a clean finish. It had hints of grassiness and tropical fruits, which paired well with the Ravioli Prawn Trio.
Cedarcreek Cabernet Merlot-2007-this oaky wine has a lingering texture with hints of vanilla and concentrated fruits. It was smooth with light hints of tannin, which went well with the Beef Carpaccio
After really enjoying our time there, we came back to The Cactus Club Cafe the next afternoon (as we had promised the bar tender) to have a few of their signature cocktails. While they where fantastic in terms of concept, they where certainly shy on the amount of liquor that we are used to here in the city. However, I was here to try one specific drink, which I was told over and over again I could not leave without trying. So what is the drink of BC that everyone is talking about? It’s called a Caesar. What I soon found to be in my opinion a much tastier version of our bloody Marry. What is the secret ingredient? Clamato Juice, a little less shyness on the horseradish, topped with the eccentric combination of fresh mozzarella cheese, borettane onion, bocconcini, and a Peruvian pepper. WOW!!! No wonder Canada has an annual festival devoted to this drink, naming it the drink of the nation. After a few of those signature drinks, we set out not only to eat more, but I made it my goal to find my favorite Caesar in Vancouver, being that they all claim to make the best.
If you liked this article please checkout my review of The Keg Steakhouse and Bar in Vancouver!
image sources: ariellafong.com, Drink-twylah.com, Ravioli-Cactusclubcafe.com, view-beautynotbull.com
False but oh so true!
Smoke & Mirrors often coined as deception or illusion. “Okay-Okay, perhaps there is an artful illusion when we apply faux lashes. But no runway, red carpet, music video set or the downtown streets is complete without a good pair of lashes.”
Today I want to highlight the genius lash brand: Smoke & Mirrors Beauty.
“The Smoke and Mirrors lash line is a custom selection of high quality, wearable lashes that brings a little of the red carpet glamour to every woman on any day.”
Sure there are tons of lash brands in today’s marketplace but we savvy beauties know, “not all are created equal.” An obvious example when you feel the difference between this brand and other unmentionables. Right away you can tell when lifting them out of their case. The strip is flexible to contour to your eye shape, the hair is 100% human (feels like silk), and the names will have you tickled.
Names like: Heart Lash | Miami Lash | Vegas Lash | Atlanta Lash | Nashville Lash | Chicago Lash | NYC Lash, all the major cosmopolitans are represented and being I’m a California gal, they had me at “Hollywood Lash“.
One Artist tip: Use ample glue, allow the glue to get tacky, then press the outer end of the strip to your eyelid moving to the inner end. Do not apply the lashes to the inner edge of your eye; remember faux lashes are meant for a little bit of trickery.
It girls love to have options and these lashes come in a variety of lengths, styles, and thicknesses – get into them….they may be false but their the truth!
Playlist for August 2012
I decided to start sharing my monthly playlist’s with readers last month. I really enjoy putting these trending music lists together to listen to at work. Here’s what I’ll be jamming to this month!
4 standout pieces to transition into Fall
Fashion trends are always changing and evolving. Unless you are completely obsessed with fashion (and have a money tree in your backyard), it’s hard to keep up with the latest trends of the season. Which is why I have decided to choose some of my favorite Fall trends and start incorporating them into my wardrobe now.
Ivory trousers
An ivory pant is great for Summer – classic and clean. But for Fall, pair an ivory pant with cozy layers for a modern, city look.
Berry colored blazer
The berry shade adds a nice pop of color to any look – this color can be dressed down for those casual Summer afternoons or dressed up for the upcoming Fall cocktail parties.
Sporty sneakers
Hidden wedge sneakers are perfect for elongating those legs – denim and bold accessories are a great match for sporty sneakers – casual, yet urban chic.
Floral print dress
Floral print is absolutely perfect for this Summer – especially when worn with bright flats and denim. For Fall, add a pair of suede ankle boots and a warm sweater for a girlie, yet on-trend look.
Crane and Canopy Launch Party
Bay Area-based Crane & Canopy debuted just last week with a collection of ten San Francisco neighborhood inspired bedding designs. Congratulations to founders Karin Shieh and Christopher Sun, who have pioneered a remarkable new line for the home goods market. With a beautifully simple business concept and a smart, tech savvy, and user friendly interface to boot, the sky is the limit.
See more of the attractive details and photos in Nicole’s post from a few days ago.
The launch party hosted some forty or so friends and family, including yours truly, in addition to Crane & Canopy staff at Axis Café to celebrate the company’s official online opening for business.
The party, just like their signature product, was simple, elegant, and well-styled. Beds in an understated garden were romantic, not fussy. It was a typical San Francisco night and the air was brisk, making the bedding all the more tempting. Somehow, I managed to resist wrapping myself up in the dozens of beautiful options around me.
In scoping out the signature designs and stats ahead of the event, I admit I was intrigued and maybe a little incredulous. A new eCommerce store that cuts out the middleman but still manages to produce an excellent high quality product – was there a catch?
Setting my disbelief aside, I met the products in person, and the quality spoke for itself. Being able to see and touch the bedding first hand, I appreciated that the goods fully lived up to their promise — in every style, the textiles are top shelf in quality. Everything looks and feels luxe. All bedding is made of durable long staple cotton in weaves of 300 to 400 Thread Count. In addition to incredible fabrics, the line includes unique and exquisite details such as tailored edge piping and original embroidery.
If you don’t believe me, ask Gus, Crane & Canopy’s resident pug. Once he gets comfortable he’s apparently impossible to move!
The current ten designs break down into four categories: Geometric Shapes to Classic Solids, Elegant Florals and Delightful Textures. Stay tuned, Crane & Canopy plans to unveil a new design every two months so your bedding always stays fresh whatever the season and on point with changing fashions and trends.
Additionally, form meets function. Their signature duvet cover includes easy ties at the corners to ensure your duvet stays put from the inside. Instead of buttons on the sides, this duvet uses a patented hidden closure positioned on the front of the duvet for better access. What’s more, you can have the layered look, where the flat sheet appears to be folded over like you have your own hotel turn down service. Here you get the look with laissez faire effort. Check out the video featuring the handsome Noe Green bedding.
Crane & Canopy’s talented designers come from a variety of industries including home goods, textiles, fashion and interior design. Lead Designer Johnny Moallempour, who has roots in fashion and a long-standing interior design background, was among the crowd. What SF neighborhood might inspire the next design? Lucky for us, Crane & Canopy takes suggestions. Indeed, Johnny encourages it! Just ask.
GLO Teeth Whitening at Home
Received a sample of Everyday GLO Teeth Whitening Maintenance, a convenient portable pen-like brush designed to help teeth remain white and stain-free on the go.
Eating and drinking wine or coffee, can stain your teeth, Everyday GLO aims to prevent the stain from setting in. To use it, first you need to remove the cap, twist the base so a Hydrogen Peroxide gel reaches the plastic tip with soft nubs and scrub your teeth. The gel has a slight minty taste and your mouth will feel refreshed after the application. If used daily, the tube has enough gel for a month.
So far I haven’t noticed my teeth getting any whiter, this might be because this is a maintenance product, I would first need to get my teeth white using their complete system: GLO Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device.
This kit gives you professional quality teeth whitening results at home—up to eight shade changes-with an average of five shades in five days with no sensitivity. The GLO Device, when used with the GLO Brilliant™ Whitening Gels and GLO Brilliant™ Whitening Mouthpiece, uses the patented Guided Light Optics Technology and illuminates with a brilliant blue light as it gently warms up. The light and heat accelerate the GLO Brilliant™ Whitening Gel giving you faster, longer-lasting results.
Like all new products that have to do with whitening teeth, this one has its pros and cons. The pro is that it works when used as directed leaving no sensitivity on teeth. The main complaint, other than the price ($275 for intro kit), is the flawed design of the gel caps, most people have complained about wasting too much product because they can’t get it out of the small containers.
For people with already sensitive teeth, this might be the way to have white teeth. And for those of us who don’t want to spend too much on whitening our teeth, we can continue with whitening toothpaste! While I like using the Everyday GLO pen, it is no substitute for daily brushing and flossing.
Color Blocking – The New Rules On How To Dress Loud
Summer is prime time for exciting bursts of color, fusing shades and explosive floral – and that’s just on your clothes! A trend that keeps coming back and only seems to get brighter and bolder is color blocking. So whether it’s petite, casual, formal or plus size clothing you’re after, read on to find out how to make colour blocking work for you.
There’s been a lot of talk about this trend adopting an ‘anything goes’ attitude, with no rules. There shouldn’t be an absolute carte blanche for colour blocking; otherwise you’ll just look like you’ve got dressed in the dark!
Thankfully, we’re here to tell you how to get it right!
How many colors?
Ok ladies. First up there is a limit to how many colors can be worn at once. Four or more different colors worn at once will make you look like a walking rainbow, which is never a good look. The basic idea is to mix colors that are not under one tone. If you’re new to color blocking and feel a bit nervous, try limiting your outfit to under two colors at first, and then build up to three when you get the hang of it.
Setting the tone
Color blocking in summer 2012 is not only about different tones but also totally different ones – think mixing pastels and neon, such as mint and lime, and you’ll be right on trend.
Work with solid colored pieces
DON’T try and add prints and frills to your color blocked outfits (to start), what you really want to do is emphasise the bold, striking colors of the outfit, and so don’t want anything to distract the eyes. Texture is firm friend of color blockers. Texture is preferred over prints because it will give your outfit dimension. For example, a mint chiffon blouse with lime skinny denim jeans would look great.
Accessories
When accessorising your outfit don’t wear jewelry that’s of the same shade as your outfit. We’d stick to nude tones, like black and white, and it won’t detract from your outfit.
Shades we love
If you’re still stuck for inspiration, bear these combos in mind when next perusing the high-street:
Tangerine and candy-floss pink with ice cool beige.
Slate grey with citrus, coral, fuchsia and electric blue.
Finally… be confident! Color blocking is all about being daring and looking vivid, so don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd!